XII.

_That no Officer or Servant employed in the Business or Service of

this Charity, shall receive any Salary, Reward, or other Gratuity,

for his Pains or Service in the Affairs of the said Charity, but

that the whole Business thereof shall be transacted_ Gratis.

_Secondly_, Of the different Seas we traverse.

The _Mediterranean_, from the Climate, Fertility, and Beauty of the

Countries bordering on it, claims the Preference, I think, of all

Seas; and recompenses more largely the Fatigues of a Voyage. What is

peculiar, and makes them more than others pleasant, is, _First_, the

Temperature of their Air, neither too hot nor cold, but a pleasant

Mediocrity, that is, Spring or Summer all the Year. _Secondly_,

Being of a moderate Compass: A Man by a little conversing with Maps,

fixes an Idea of his Distances, his Stages from Place to Place, and

may measure them over in his Head with the same Facility he would

a Journey from _London_ to _York_. _Thirdly_, Thus acquainted with

the daily Progress, our Approaches please in a Proportion to the

Danger and Wants we go from, and the Remedy and Port we go to.

_Leghorn_, _Genoa_, _Naples_, &c. have their different Beauties.

_Fourthly_, The confining Lands on the _European_ and _African_ Side

being mountainous, and the Sea interspersed with Islands, gives

these Priorities to main Oceans, _viz._ that you cannot be long out

of sight of some Land or other, and those flowing with Milk and

Honey, no ordinary Comfort, excepting when they are _Lee_ Shores.

_Secondly_, If the Hills be to Windward, they take off the Force of

strong Winds, and make a smooth Sea. And _thirdly_, The same Hills

to _Leeward_, do by their Height give a Check to Storms; the Air

stagnating by their Interposition, I have observed frequently in

shore, to become a gentle Gale.

_Lastly_, The greatest Pleasure of those Seas, is visiting Towns and

Countrys that have been worthy History; the most famous do somewhere

or other border there, and have given birth to the greatest Men and

greatest Actions. _Greece_, that was the Mother of Arts and Sciences,

the Oracle of the World, that brought forth a _Homer_, _Socrates_,

_Alexander_, &c. and was one of the four great Empires, stands to

those Seas (though changed now to _European Turky_, by a Progress as

wonderful) so does _Italy_, the Seat of the last universal Empire.

That _Rome_, which subjected almost all the Kings and Kingdoms of

the known World, gave _Britain_ Laws, and left every where eternal

Monuments of their Power and Magnificence: Here lived _Virgil_,

_Horace_, _Cæsar_——Hither some say St. _Paul_ made his Voyage,

having coasted along _Crete_, and suffered Shipwreck at _Malta_,

Islands famous here, the one being the Birth-place of _Jupiter_, the

other for a renowned Order of Knights, the professed Defenders of

Christianity against the _Turk_.

Volcanos, Catacombs, Triumphal Arches, and Pillars, Baths, Aqueducts,

and Amphitheatres, are peculiar Curiosities of _Italy_. There is

scarcely a Spot in that delicious Country, but is recorded for some

remarkable Occurrence; is memorable for High-ways, Grottos, Lakes,

Statues, Monuments, some Victory gained, or Battle lost, the Birth

or Death of _Cæsar_ or his Friends. On the _African_ Side, stands or

did stand, _Carthage_, _Troy_, _Tyre_, _Nice_, _Ephesus_, _Antioch_,

_Smyrna_; and on that shore was once Christianity firmly planted (no

less than 300 Bishops being expelled thence;) but alas how all things

change! neither Greatness nor Virtue can exempt from Mortality:

Towns, Countries, and Religions, have their Periods.

_Thebes_, _Nineveh_, &c. are now no more.

_Oppida posse mori,

Si quæras Helicen & Burin, Achaidas Urbes,

Invenies sub Aquis._

They have a determined Time to flourish, decay, and die in. Corn

grows where _Troy_ stood: _Carthage_ is blotted out. _Greece_ and

her Republicks (_Athens_, _Sparta_, _Corinth_,) with other fam’d

_Asian_ and _African_ Cities the _Turkish_ Monarchy has overturned.

Their Magnificence, Wealth, Learning, and Worship, is changed into

Poverty and Ignorance; and _Rome_, the Mother of all, overrun with

Superstition. Who, on the one hand, but feels an inexpressible

Pleasure in treading over that Ground, he supposes such Men

inhabited, whose Learning and Virtues have been the Emulation of

all succeeding Ages? And who again but must mourn such a melancholly

Transposition of the Scene, and spend a few funeral Reflections over

such extraordinary _Exequiæ_: Perhaps the Revolution of as many Ages,

as has sunk their Glory, may raise it again, or carry it to the

_Negroes_ and _Hottentots_, and the present Possessors be debased.

The next pleasant Sailing to the _Mediterranean_, is that part of the

_Atlantick_, Southern, Pacifick, South, or _Indian_ Seas, that are

within the Limits of a _Trade-Wind_; because such Winds are next to

invariable, of such moderate Strength as not to raise heavy Seas, or

strain a Ship; no Storms at Distance from Land; and equal Days and

Nights.

The _Atlantick_, and Southern Ocean, without the Limits of this

_Trade-Wind_, that is, from 30 to 60°° of Latitude, are far the

worst for Navigation; wide, rough, and boisterous Seas, more subject

to Clouds, Storm, and Tempest, variable Weather; long, dark, cold

Nights, and less delightful Countries and Climates out of _Europe_.

_Lastly_, Beyond 60 Degrees of Latitude we have little Commerce,

and the Seas less frequented; the Countries growing more and more

inhospitable, as Latitude and Cold increases towards the Pole;

however, Men who have used _Greenland_, tell me, those inclement

Skies contain no other Vapors, than Mist, Sleet, and Snow; the Sea

less ruffled with Winds, which blow for the most part Northerly,

towards the Sun, _i. e._ towards a more rarified Air, seen in those

Drifts of Ice from thence, that are found far to the Southward, both

on the _European_ and _American_ side. Another Advantage to cheer

the Winter’s Melancholy of Northern Regions, is the Moon’s shining

a Length proportioned to the Absence of the Sun; so that where he is

entirely lost, she[2] never sets, but with reflected and resplendent

Light on Ice and Snow, keeps up their Consolation.

In all Seas are met numerous Incidents and Appearances, worthy our

Reflection. I have therefore gone on to Observations more instructive

and amusing. If the Solutions are not every where Standard, they may

strike out Hints to better Capacities; among those, I can perceive

_two_ more liable to Objection.

_First_, The _Pythagorean_ Soliloquy I set out with (p. 18.) which

may be deemed too foreign for the Subject: To which I answer——A

Voyage to Sea is a Type of that dark and unknown one we are to make

in Death: Wherefore it is not unnatural with a _Departure from the

Land’s End of England, shooting_ into an _Abyss_ of Waters, to

consider a little on that Life, which lost is a _Departure_ from the

_World’s End_, and to launch into a greater _Abyss_, Eternity;—The

Principle, _in what is material of us_, I think, highly consonant to

Reason, and continues still the Doctrine of the Eastern Sages.

_Diversæ autem corpora formæ non sunt nisi diversæ modificationes

ejusdem materiæ_, &c.

(_Keil_ de legibus naturæ.)

_E. G._ Vapors condensed to Rain, we see descend on Earth; and both

enter and pass into the Seeds and Forms of all Plants. From them,

either taken alone, or amassed in animal Food, is what constitutes

and repairs by a daily Eating, our own Bodies; which if there be any

Trust to Sense or Reason, moulds, decays, and turns again to Dust and

Air, in order for Regeneration.

What only can destroy this Philosophy (as I observe at that place)

and maintain a Resurrection of the _same_ Body, is Revelation, and

the Immortality of the Soul; for Sameness, or Identity then, will not

consist in the same individual Particles being united, that makes

our Bodies here, (which we are sure are continually fluctuating,

and changing while we live;) but on that Consciousness which the

immaterial Part will give, though joined to Matter, taken from the

Top of _Olympus_.

_Secondly_, The Denial of _Canibals_ against the Authority of

_grave_ Authors, has proceeded from a Persuasion, that the Charge

carries the highest Reproach on Humanity, and the Creator of it. My

Aim, therefore, was to shew in the best manner I could, that the

Accusation every where has probably proceeded from _Fear_ in some,

to magnify the Miracle of escaping an inhospitable and strange

Country, and from _Design_ in others, to justify Dispossession, and

arm Colonies with Union and Courage against the _supposed Enemies of

Mankind_. Conquest and Cruelty, by that means go on with pleasure

on the People’s side, who are persuaded they are only subduing of

brutish Nature, and exchanging, for their mutual Good, SPIRITUAL for

TEMPORAL INHERITANCES. By particular and private Men, this may have

been fixed on a People, to allay some base or villainous Actions

of their own, that could not any other way be excused, or bear the

Light: And for this, I appeal to the discerning part of our Traders,

acquainted with _Guinea_, whether they do not think the Reports of

Cape _St. Mary_’s Inhabitants, Cape _Mont_, _Montzerado_, _Drewin_,

and _Callabar_, down-right Falsities, and impolitick ones; for the

multiplying of Places, like Plots, in a great measure destroys the

Use of them.

At the _Caribbees_ again, it is full as preposterous; for on small

Islands, had their Women bred like Rabbits, they must have been

desolated Ages before the _Europeans_ Arrival; unless we can suppose

human Flesh was eat only on their Feast-Days; or that they just

commenced Monsters upon our Discovery.——_La Hontan_, or some other

_French_ Translation I have read, talking of _Canibals_ bordering on

_Canada_, flies into a strange _Gallicism_, and makes them commend

the Flesh of a _Frenchman_ (sad Partiality) in Eating, as of finer

Taste than that of an _Englishman_.

These, with _Europeans_ neglecting to charge the _East-Indians_ thus,

who have more Power than simple _Americans_ or _Negroes_ to resent

the Indignity and Reproach, makes me disbelieve the whole of what I

have hitherto heard; and that the true _Anthropophagi_ are only the

diverse Insects infesting us in diverse Countries; the _Pediculose_

Kind do not live in hot Climates; instead thereof, they are assaulted

with a ravenous Fly called _Muskito_; Legions that live wild in the

Woods, and seize with every Opportunity, human Flesh, like Lions.

* * * * *

As there is a strict Regard to Truth observed throughout the whole,

it is apprehended the following Sheets will be not only amusing, but

useful.

[Illustration: (decorative banner)]

A

VOYAGE

TO

_Guinea_, _Brasil_, and the _West-Indies_;

In His Majesty’s Ships, the _Swallow_,

and _Weymouth_, &c.

We took in eight Months Provisions each, at _Portsmouth_; Stores,

Careening-Geer, and Necessaries requisite to continue us a double

Voyage down the Coast of _Guinea_, for meeting, if possible, with

the Pyrates; who did then very much infest those Parts, and destroy

our Trade and Factories. Accordingly the Company’s Governors for

_Gambia_ and other Places, embark’d under our Convoy, and were to

have what Support we could give them, in restoring the Credit of the

_Royal African Company_; which begun now to take new life under the

Influence of the Duke of _Chandois_.

For this Purpose we set sail from _Spithead_ _February_ 5th, 1720/1.

It is a Pleasure we have beyond the Merchant-Service in sailing,

that we are forbid Commerce. When Men of War have no other Lading

than Provisions and Necessaries, the Duty of Sailors is eased, and

their Conveniencies better; whereas Cargoes, besides dishonouring the

Commission, and unfitting the King’s Ships for Action, stifle and

sicken a Ship’s Company in warm Climates, impose hard Services, and

spoil the Trade of the Merchant they are designed to encourage, and

expect a Gratuity from; because Labour and Freight free, they can

afford to undersel.

In the Evening from six to nine, we saw those Appearances in the Sky

called _Capræ saltantes_, by the Sailors _Morrice-Dancers_; they are

Streams of Light that suddenly shoot into one another, and disappear

for a Minute or two; yet shifting their Stations _within the

Quarter_, in so quick and surprizing a manner as might easily deceive

superstitious Times into a belief of Armies in the Air; _these_, the

_Scintillæ volantes_, and such like nitrous Exhalations, having given

rise, it’s probable, to all those Prodigies the Air has heretofore in

_impious_ Times abounded with.

The _Western_ Extremity of _England_ that we are now passing by, has

been supposed, from the equal Depth of Water found there, from Doors,

Windows, and Roots of Trees, formerly (_it’s said_) hooked up by

Fishermen, to have been in Ages past continuous with the rocky little

Islands of _Scilly_, by a Land called _Lioness_. When I consider

the Changes Earthquakes and Inundations have made, and continue

insensibly to make on all the different Coasts of the Earth, losing

in some places, and gaining in others; and what new Islands have now

and then been thrust up on the surface of the Waters by Streams and

Currents, subterranean Winds and Fires; the thing does not appear to

me altogether conjectural: the Rocks seem now with terrible accent

to lament the reparation. Who knows but we likewise are severing

eternally from our Friends! it is a Voyage we shall at some time or

other make; and those solitary Rocks that bound the last sight to our

Homes and Countries, naturally bring to my mind some Reflections on

the subject.

Whether when we have shut up this Life we shall remain resolved into

our Elements; revive again in some Plant or Animal; or thirdly, be

reinstated Soul and Body into Glory, is an Enquiry worthy our utmost

Concern and Diligence; as it will sweeten the imbittered Potions

of Life, make us patient under Afflictions, and even easy on this

treacherous Element the Sea; whom none ought to trust; but they who

have a Faith in Providence.

Immortality has been the Ambition of the greatest and wisest Men

that have lived, and indeed who would not in the satiety of worldly

Objects seek out and desire such a prerogative to his Soul? The

Philosophers, rather than lose so comfortable a prospect, have

placed it in an Existence that can never concern our Happiness or

Misery as Men: The Princes of them having made it to subsist in the

universal Soul of the World; from whence, say they, are struck out

Scintillations to every thing that has Life; and in Death, what was

Elementary, returned to its proper station, and what was Divine

in us, to what is Divine in the Universe: a _Metempsychosis_ or

Transmigration continuing the World on in the order we see it.

When I ponder on the natural Cause of our Being ... On the Necessity

of that Cause to produce us, and what the material Agent is ... On

our gradual Advances and Decay; both in respect to Body and Soul

... The Soul’s sympathizing with the disorders of the Body ... Our

Sleeps and total Forgetfulness ... Our Susceptibility of Madness

or Idiocy, and _hebridous_ Productions, especially that of Man

with Beast; I am tempted to think this the most plausible of all

Philosophical Opinions, in relation to our future Existence, that we

are not Creatures of that consequence we imagine; our Natures neither

deserving, nor should they expect in reason any other Immortality

than what other Creatures enjoy in their Seed and Transmigration.

This Doctrine is what the _Eastern_ Sages, reverenced for their

Wisdom, do still propagate, and teach the Heterodox a Lesson of

Humility, _That Pride was not made for Man_: but at the same time

it makes me superstitiously fear and abhor a Grave of Waters; which

I fancy will subside us too far from the _Sun_, whose Power is the

chief Principle to revive us again in some Plant or Animal on our

native Element: which will be such perhaps as, in our Life-time,

our Senses were familiar and delighted with; and for which, we had

a sympathetical Affection and Tendency to. But then granting the

Doctrine, I am considering what the Advantage of such a belief can be

to us as Men? Why none. Our personal Identity must be destroyed in

the first Transmigration, much more in an infinite Succession; and we

(_as we_) can never after this Life be affected with either Pleasure

or Pain. I am therefore on the whole fond of _Revelation_, and wish

that to be Truth which ascribes such Power to Faith, _That it can

remove Mountains_: and therefore, with its fruits concurring, may

raise us into immortal Spirits, translate us to Bliss, even without

passing through the horrors of Death.

That an Almighty Power can subsist us to Eternity, we are very sure;

and that he will do it, I say let it be our Happiness, that we have

the Promises of his Gospel; for here only can be a remedy to all

worldly Cares; and wherever Death o’er takes us, whether this _Voyage

or next_, so we be upon our _Watch_, it will _transport_ us to a

_Port_ and Treasure fixed. It will free us from _Rocks, Sands, and

tempestuous Seas, and anchor us in a Haven of Felicity_.

* * * * *

The Gale with which we left _England_, carried us the length of

Cape [3]_Finisterre_ into serener Weather, and Sun-shine; but there

we met with continued Westerly Winds (very unusual to the Coast of

_Portugal_) which prolonged our Passage. A Day or two’s sail from

_Madeira_, we fell in with Commodore _Matthews_, in the _Lion_,

bound with a Squadron of four Sail to the _East-Indies_, on the like

Service with ours to _Africa_, viz. _the Suppression of Pyrates_.

Abundance of Sea-weed floated about us at 40 Leagues distance,

and continued a constant float till we reached the Island; an

Argument that the bottom of the Sea, especially where the Depths are

decreasing towards any Shore, have a Cloathing of Plants, which are

probably the common Nutriment of large Fish. This our _Divers_ in

Pearl, and Coral-fishing, have confirmed to 8 or 10 Fathom water;

and this, I think, the present Observation proves to be in greater

Depths; _1st_, Because the Unwieldiness of some, and the manner

of being provided for Mastication in others, declares Ruminating,

and not Prey, to be the way of Subsistence in many. _2dly_, There

is a greater Resort toward Shores, than in the distant Ocean, and

perhaps, like many little Fish in our own Channels, they may have

their Seasons of Rotation, and their Grazing, the Cause of unrooting

and throwing it up here. _3dly_, _Porpoises_ play about us daily in

Shoals, the most familiar great Fish in the _Atlantick_, and at all

Parts of it: They tumble most upon a rough Surface, and against the

Wind. Sailors observing these _Porpoises_, say, they portend Storms.

The _Latins_ call them _Porci marini_, from some Resemblance to the

Hog, in it’s Entrails and Bigness, (weighing several Hundred.) These

Fish, as they are very numerous, never enticed to the Hook, wasting

many of their hours in play, and gradually lessening from Shore, shew

they know readily where to make their Meals at the bottom of the Sea,

tho’ at other times they certainly prey on smaller and particular

Species of Fish: _These_ their _Feasts_, it’s like, and _That_ their

ordinary Diet.

[Illustration: (decorative banner)]

_MADEIRA._

This Island, at the first Discovery of it by the _Portuguese_, about

the Year 1420, was over-run with _Wood_, whence it’s Name. Divided to

the two Discoverers, they set the Woods on fire, which _Travellers

say_ burnt seven Years; the Ashes giving a vast Fertility to

their Sugar-Canes, at the first Planting; till a Worm getting into

the Cane, spoiled the Increase, _&c._ so that it is now entirely

planted with Vines brought originally from _Candia_, which yield

the strongest Wines: That called _Malmsey_ is a rich Cordial, the

best made at the Jesuit’s Garden in _Fonchial_. Their Vintage is in

_September_ and _October_, and make about 25000 Pipes.

Others say, one _Mecham_ an _Englishman_, in a Voyage to _Spain_

was drove on this Island before the Discovery above: That his Crew

sailed without him and his Mistress; whom he buried here, left an

Inscription on her Tomb, and then in a Canoo of his own building

sailed to _Barbary_; the King presenting him as a Prodigy to the

King of _Castile_: From whole Account, the _Spaniard_ soon after

made conquest of the neighbouring _Canary_ Islands. The Island is

rocky Mountains, with an Intermixture of little fruitful Plains. The

highest Parts, Goat-herds and Woods; the Middle, Kitchen-Gardens; and

the Bottom, Vineyards. The Roads bad, which makes them bring their

Wines to town in Hog-skins upon Asses; a brownish and a red sort, the

latter called _Vino tinto_, being according to common report stained

with _Tint_, tho’ they assure you it is the natural Grape. They are

almost all _limed_, a Preservative against the excessive Heats of

the _West-Indies_, where they are for the most part transported by

us, and where no other Wine keeps well.

Trade is carried on by Bartering, 40 or 50 _per Cent._ being allowed

on an Invoice of Provisions, Cloaths, or Houshold-Goods; of the

former sort, Bread, Beef, Pork, Pilchard, Herring, Cheese, Butter,

Salt, and Oil, are first in demand. The next are dry Goods, Hats,

Wigs, Shirts, Stockings, Kersys, Sagathys, Crapes, Says, Shalloons,

and Broadcloths, particularly Black Suits, the usual wear of the

_Portuguese_. The last and least in Expence are Escrutores, Chairs,

Pewter, Post-Paper, Counting-books, _&c._ For these you have in

Exchange their Wine at 30 _Millrays_ a Pipe; the _Malmsey_, 60. each

_Millray_ in present Pay 6_s._ 8_d._ in Bills 6_s._ What other little

Traffick I had, stands as _per_ Margin.[4]

There is one Caution to be observed; That as there is not much

dishonour in Trade to take advantage of a Chapman’s Weakness, it is

prudent to see the Wines you have tasted shipped forthwith, or it

is odds but the Stranger finds them adulterated: So that altho’

they seem to allow a good Interest on your Goods; yet the Badness of

your Wine, or (if good) broke at their Price, lessens the supposed

Advantage. Some Goods at particular times, bear an extraordinary

Price; not so much by a Call of the Island, as of _Brasil_, whither

they are again exported.

_Fonchial_ is the chief Town of the Island, the Residence of

the Governour and Bishop: Is large and populous, has five or

six Churches; three Nunneries, not so strict as at _Lisbon_, we

conversing and trading for Toys with them every day; and as many

_Convents of Fathers_. That of the Jesuits has at present in it only

seventeen; a neat handsome Building and Chappel: this _Order_ being

in all Catholick Countries the most respected for their Learning

and Riches. Wherever you find a College of them, you may be sure

there is good Living. The other Inhabitants consist of a mixed Race;

_Portuguese_, _Blacks_, and _Molattoes_, who are civil, courteous,

and equally respected in Trade; the _Portuguese_ no where abroad

scrupling an Alliance with darker Colours.

They keep no regular Market, but the Country brings in according as

they think will be the Demand at any time: Kid, Pork, and now and

then a lean Heifer, Cabbages, Lemons, Oranges, Walnuts, Figs, Yams,

Bananoes, _&c._ There is one Curiosity I found in their Gardens

called _the everlasting Flower_, never fading after gathered, or

indiscernibly, in many Years; the Herb is like Sage growing, and the

Flower like Camomil: I laid by several of them, and found at twelve

Months end they were just of the same freshness as when gathered.

_Fonchial_ Road is very open and unsafe against West and S. W. Winds;

deep Water also, that there is no anchoring but at the West End, and

that in 40 Fathom, a Mile or Mile and half off Shore: So that when a

Swell from those Quarters gives notice of a Gale coming, all Ships in

the Road slip their Cables and to Sea, returning at a more favourable

season for their lading: Which likewise, by an extraordinary Surf on

the Beach, becomes troublesome to ship off; commonly done by swimming

the Pipes off to the Lanch, or lade on the Beach, and run her with

many hands into the Sea. The like trouble Boats have in Watering (by

a River at the W. End of the Town) and is most commodiously done

before the Sea-breeze comes in.

The _Loo_ makes a tolerable Harbour for small Vessels against

Westerly Winds, that would be unsafe _without_. They make fast their

Cable to a high Rock called the _Loo_, whereon is a Fort; but when

the Winds veer, opening their Heads to the Sea, all Hands go on

Shore, and leave the Ship and Storm to contest it by themselves.

Their Lodgings on shore are as uneasy to Strangers, as the _Road_ to

Ships; being prodigiously pestered with Bugs and Fleas. Cotts upon

the Floors, is the common way of laying.

Their Strength is in the Militia, computed at 18000 disciplin’d and

loyal Fellows; They, the _Azores_, and _Cape De Verd_ Islands soon

returning to their Allegiance, after that Revolution in _Portugal_,

1640.

Before I leave _Madeira_, I must relate the surprizing Account just

arrived here by several Masters of Vessels, Eye-witnesses of a new

Island which sprung out of the Sea the 20th of _November_ last, 17

Leagues S. E. from _Terceira_, one of the Western Islands.

The Master who took a Survey of it by order from the Governour of

_Terceira_, lays it down, a League long, a Mile broad, a little

above the surface of the Water, and smoking like a _Volcano_. After

the Eruption, the Sea for several Leagues round was covered with

Pumice-stone, and half-broiled Fish. I was curious to know what

Symptoms (if any) had preceded this Prodigy at the other Islands;

and learned that _Pico_, one of them, a noted _Volcano_, had ceased

to burn for some time, and that they had felt a Shock or two of an

Earthquake that had done considerable damage. _Corvo_, an Island in

this Neighbourhood ([5]_Albert de Mandelzo_ tells us) started up

also in such manner, _June_ 16, 1628. And History relates the like in

the _Archipelago_.

That new Islands should be formed in Rivers, as at the Conflux of

the _Save_ with the _Danube_, or Sands shifting in any Channels,

may be from the Swiftness of the Streams, wasting some and raising

others; but that this Effect should happen in deep Water, 50 or 60

Miles from Shore, is truly wonderful: The Phænomenon seems best

resolved here, by subterranean Fires, which from a great Depth and

Extent have their Vents at _Volcanoes_; and as the Consumption of

their Materials is more, the nigher they are such Vents (observable

in _Italy_, _Iceland_, &c.) so their Effects in the neighbourhood of

Waters (when by any Accident the Mouth is stopp’d, and they meet)

must be Concussions of the Earth, blowing the Mountains away in

Cinders; and now and then in Ages, such a Wonder as a new Island, the

same as we see (if we may compare great things with small) in several

Chymical Preparations. _This_ Island has settled, and probably by the

Spunginess of its Materials, may sink in a few Years out of sight

again. The ultimate End, is perhaps to strike Mankind with a Dread of

Providence, and warn a sinful World against the Consequences of angry

Omnipotence: Men generally taking a deeper Impression from something

new and wonderful in Nature, than in the Creation or Conservation of

the World it self.

[Illustration: (decorative banner)]

_CANARIES._

From _Madeira_ we sailed by the _Canary_ Islands, belonging to the

_Spaniards_, and taken by them in 1418.

_Palma_, remarkable for rich Wines, making 12000 Pipes _per Annum_.

_Ferro_, or _Ferrara_, for our Navigators taking their first Meridian

from thence, there being none, or the least Variation; and for a

_Volcano_ that now and then breaks out upon it. One in _November_

1677, seen five Days; and in 1692 broke out again with Earthquakes,

and seen six Weeks together: There is also, our Voyages say, a

wonderful Tree on it, forty Foot high, that condenses the Clouds in

such quantity, as to supply the want of Springs.

_Grand Canary_, the chief Residence for Governours and Consuls; and

_Teneriff_, for its noted _Pike_, thought from the shewing it self

singly, to be the highest Land in the World. It is a Pyramidal Heap

of rough Rocks piled thus (it’s thought by Naturalists) from some

subterraneous Conflagration that burst out heretofore.

The Ancients called them _Insulæ fortunatæ_; it’s likely from the

Interception they may have given to the Destruction of Coasters blown

off, before the use of the Compass: Cape _Non_ on the Continent being

the utmost of their Navigation.

[Illustration: (decorative banner)]

_Cape de VERD Islands,_

Denominated from the Cape, always green: They were anciently called

_Hesperides_; the Diminutive of _Spain_, called heretofore _Hesperia,

propterea quod hæc regio, omnium extrema, sit a sit ad Occidentem_;

_Hesperus_, the Evening Star, by a Metaphor signifying the West.

They are inhabited by _Portuguese_, who welcome all sort of Ships (of

good, or ill Design) bound to _Guinea_, _India_, _Brasil_, or the

_West-Indies_; they frequently putting in here to furnish themselves

with fresh Provisions, exchanged for Trifles; chiefly at _St. Iägo_

(_James_) the principal, which has three or four Forts, and where

resides the Governour. In several of these Islands there are natural

Salt Ponds, kerning great quantities without trouble. The most noted

by the _English_ is _Maio_, or the Isle of _May_, where many of

our Ships lade in Summer; and was, with _Tangier_, and _Bombay_ in

_India_, Part of Q. _Catherine_’s Fortune to _England_. Another of

them has a _Volcano_, and called _Del Fuego_.

The Land about the Cape appears the Height of that at _Deal_ in

_Kent_; woody, a white even Sand along Shore, and about 28 Fathom

Water a League off. Just to the Northward are two or three great

Rocks, called by our Sailors _Shitten Islands_, being white all over

with the Dung of Sea-fowls. At the same distance Southward of the

Cape, is an Island called _Goree_, about a League from the Main, has

a _French_ Factory with two Forts, commanding all the Trade about the

River _Senega_, from other Nations.

While our Ships lay too here, we had good Fishing with our Lines;

took _Breams_ (or _Porga’s_) _Skip-jacks_, _Groupes_, _a Rock-fish_

(thick, short, and of a deep yellow on the Belly, Gills, and Mouth)

and the _Jew-Fish_; which has a double Mouth, the uppermost not to

swallow Food, but full of Air-pipes, and finned like a _Cod_, all

well tasted: and having washed them down with a Bowl, our Friends and

we parted, the _Weymouth_ steering in for _Gambia_ River with the

Governour Colonel _Witney_, and the Merchants; We for _Sierraleon_,

anchoring there the Beginning of _April_, 1721.

The Winds from _Madeira_ to _Sierraleon_ at first blew fresh at S.

and S. W. and as we came farther to the Southward, they wheel’d

gradually on the Western Side of the Circle, quite round to the

N. so as in the Latitude of 21 to have it N. E. a true _Trade_,

seven, eight, or nine knots Day and Night; but whether it were the

Badness of our half-minute Glasses, the tendency of the Sea with the

Wind, or any Current, I cannot tell; but we always found our selves

considerably further to the Southward, by Observation every day, than

the Distance by the Log would give.

In this Passage, we took up a few _Turtle_ with our Boat. As they

sleep and bask upon the Surface, we steal upon them without noise,

and throw them in upon their Backs. We saw also abundance of flying

Fish, and their continual Enemies, the _Albicore_ and _Dolphin_; the

latter we strike now and then with a Fizgig, or Harping-iron. It is

a glorious-colour’d, strait Fish, four or five Foot long, forked

Tail, perpendicular to the Horizon: plays familiarly about Ships; is

of dry Taste, but makes good Broth. They are seldom seen out of the

Latitudes of a _Trade_-wind; and the flying Fish never: These are the

bigness of small Herrings; their Wings about two thirds its length;

come narrow from the Body, and end broad; they fly by the help of

them a Furlong at a time when pursued, turning in their Flight,

sometimes dip in the Sea, and so up again, the Wind making them, by

this Expedient, fleeter.

[Illustration: (decorative banner)]

_AFRICA in general._

As there is nothing more surprizing and delightful in Voyages or

Travels, than beholding the different Habits, Customs, Dieting,

and Religion of the different Natives; so there is none I believe,

wherein that Difference can be found, so much as here. A Colour,

Language and Manners, as wide from ours, as we may imagine we should

find in the planetary Subjects above, could we get there.

But before I proceed on any Observations of my own, it may be proper

from others, to convey some Idea of _Guinea_ in general; so much as

carries Probability, either from the Dead or Living.

_Africa_, one of the four Quarters of the World, next in bigness to

_Europe_, by the Ancients had several Names; _Olympia_, _Ammonis

Ortygia_; but the most noted, _Apher_, from a Nephew, it’s said,

of _Abraham_’s. It extends from about 36 N. to as many Degrees of

Southern Latitude; and excepting _Egypt_, _Barbary_, _Morocco_, and

in this last Age the Coast of _Guinea_, is a Country as little known

as any Part of the Globe. _Marmol_ says, the _Arabians_ in the 400 of

the _Hegyra_, passed into _Afric_ and divided it. This is certain,

that it has many fine large Rivers, some of them navigable for

Ships. Along the Banks of these Rivers, the Inhabitants abound with

_Millet_, _Rice_, _Pulse_ or, _Indian-Corn_. The further we depart

from _Morocco_ on this West Side, or _Egypt_ on the East, there is

always found less Industry and more Ignorance: For Governments, tho’

never so tyrannical, are better than none, extending some Improvement

to Humanity.

The _Niger_, which is one of the largest Rivers in _Africa_, is said

to have the same Property of overflowing every Year, like _Nile_,

remunerating to the inland parts a vast Fertility and Increase; and

this very probably, because it has been traced some hundred Leagues,

and by the Course, descends from the _Ethiopian_ Mountains, the

common Fountain of both.

The _Senega_ and _Gambia_, Branches of this great River, disgorge

here at the windward Part of _Guinea_; they are large Rivers, driving

considerable Trade: To the former of these, the King of _Morocco_

extended his Dominions, about 1526, by the Conquest of the Kingdom

of _Tombuto_, which still continues tributary, and whence that King

raises considerable _Negro_ Armies, his chief Strength. A College

of the Sect of _Haly_, is founded in _Melli_, a Kingdom upon this

River. They have many _Crocodiles_ or _Alligators_, _Sea-Horses_, and

_Shirks_ in them. _Senega_ affords great quantity of _Gum_; and at

_Gambia_ begin our Factories for Slaves, Teeth, and Gold, on which

this general Remark, That the Slaves there, faring softer from a

better Soil, are not so hardy as those lower down. The Teeth are as

large, and in as much plenty, as at any one Part of the whole Coast;

those taken out of the _Sea-Horse_ are small, not weighing above 5

or 6 Pounds, but more solid than the _Elephant’s_. And lastly, their

Gold is current in what the Traders call _Bars_, little twisted

Lengths, or in Rings of 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8_s._ Value.

All the great Rivers flow and ebb regularly, being governed by the

Moon, as the Tides on our own Coasts; but the Sandiness of the Soil,

and Nearness of the Sun, makes the Country between, so extreamly dry,

that they have great scarcity of Water for an hundred Miles an end

sometimes; and this Drought is what brings the Beasts of all sorts in

Droves to the Banks, for satisfying Thirst, (_Tygers_, _Panthers_,

_Leopards_, _Antelopes_, _Elephants_, _Apes_; _Ostriches_, &c.) From

which Accident, say they, might probably have happened the many

_Hebridous_ Productions that have made this Country the Proverb of

all Ages; it continually producing something new or monstrous.

Their chief Diet is _Indian_ Corn, Rice, Palm-nuts, Bananas, Yamms,

Pine-apples, and now and then a little Fish, or a Fowl; all which

thro’ Ignorance, and want of Necessaries, are very slovenly cooked by

them.

_Africa_ is almost a Triangle in shape; the Kingdoms on the North are

_Mahometans_; and in the trading Towns of _Barbary_, and _Turky_,

there is a little Mixture of _Jews_. On the Eastern Line next

_Persia_, are said to be some of the Sect of _Gaurs_, followers of

_Zoroastes_, a very learned _Persian_ Philosopher, that appeared,

according to Dr. _Prideaux_, about 2300 Years ago: He instituted

Fire-worship, and established it by a superiour Cunning, through most

parts of _Persia_ and _India_, where there are still some left, poor

and despised, (called _Persees_) since the seventh Century, when the

_Mahometans_ over-run that Country, and almost extinguished them.

In _Æthiopia_, (_Prester John_’s Country) Writers say, are a sort

of _Christians_, still acknowledging the Patriarch of _Alexandria_;

meerly nominal I believe, for the _Greeks_ themselves, much nigher

his Pastorship, have since their Conquest by the _Turks_, in a manner

lost _their_ Christianity; Poverty and Ignorance, the Consequence

of Captivity having obliterated the outward Pomp, which, next to

Power, is the main Pillar in all Religions. _Inland_, and to the

Southern Extremity, they are _Pagans_. And on this Western Line (the

_Negroes_) all trust to the _Gregory_ or _Fetish_; which in the bulk

of it means no more than what we in _Europe_ call _Charms_, which in

many respects carries strong Superstition, that is, a vain Religion

in it; only their consecrated Materials having more Reverence from

their Ignorance and Fear, work more stupendous Effects; or are

imagined to do so, which is the same thing. So much may serve for a

general Idea of _Africa_, since several of the Articles will, in the

progress of the Voyage, be occasionally expatiated on.

[Illustration: (decorative banner)]

_SIERRALEON._

By _Guinea_ here, I mean all _Negro-land_, from about the River

_Senega_ Northward, to within a few Degrees of _Cape Bon Esperance_;

because Ships bound to any part of this Extent, are said to be bound

to _Guinea_; and because the People, without these Lines, alter to a

dark Colour seen in the _Moors_ at this, and the _Hottentots_ at the

other Extremity. The Name (_Gordon_ says) imports _hot and dry_, and

its Gold gives Name to our Coin.

The black Colour, and woolly Tegument of these _Guineans_; is

what first obtrudes it self on our Observation, and distinguishes

them from the rest of Mankind, who no where else, in the warmest

Latitudes, are seen thus totally changed; nor removing, will they

ever alter, without mixing in Generation. I have taken notice in my

_Navy-Surgeon_, how difficultly the Colour is accounted for; and tho’

it be a little Heterodox, I am persuaded the black and white Race

have, _ab origine_, sprung from different-coloured first Parents.

When we parted with the _Weymouth_ off _Cape de Verd_, we steered S.

S. W. to avoid the Shoals of _Grandee_, and in hawling in for the

Land again, waited till we came into the Latitude of _Sierraleon_,

some _others_ laying on the N. Side that River. The Soundings in with

the Cape are gradual, from 60 Fathoms about 12 Leagues off, to 13;

when we get in sight of Cape _Sierraleon_, known by a single Tree

much larger than the rest, and high land on the back of it. We run up

on the Starboard side of the River, anchoring in the third Bay from

the Cape; where is very commodious watering and wooding; and regular

Tides, as in any part of the Channel of _England_.

_Remark 1._ The Trade for our _African_ Company here, is carried on

from _Bense_ or _Brent Island_, about 5 Leagues distance from our

Anchorage, by Factors, of whom Mr. _Plunket_ is chief. The private

Traders are about 30 in number, settled on the Starboard side of

the River: loose privateering Blades, that if they cannot trade

fairly with the Natives, will rob; but then don’t do it so much in

pursuance of that trading Advice, (_Amass Riches, my Son_,) as to put

themselves in a Capacity of living well, and treating their Friends,

being always well pleased if they can keep their Stock _at Par_, and

with their Profits purchase from time to time, Strong-beer, Wine,

Cyder, and such Necessaries, of _Bristol_ Ships, that more frequently

than others put in there; of these, _John Leadstine_, commonly called

_old Cracker_, is reckoned the most thriving.

They all keep _Gromettas_ (_Negro_ Servants) which they hire from

_Sherbro River_, at two _Accys_ or _Bars_ a Month. The Women keep

House, and are obedient to any Prostitutions their Masters command.

The Men-servants work in the Boats and Periagoes, which go a trading

in turns with Coral, Brass, Pewter Pans, Pots, Arms, _English_

Spirits, _&c._ and bring back from the _Rio Nunes_, Slaves, and

Teeth; and from _Sherbro_, Camwood for Dyers; a Sloop or two is the

most that is loaded from the latter Place in a Year, and that with

difficulty; being obliged to go far up the River, narrow and beset

with _Mangroves_, which makes it sickly.

The _Ivory_ here is of the _Elephant_ or _Sea-Horse_, great and

small; the former, sold at about 40 _Accys_ per _Quintal_ in

Exchange; the other at half Price.

The Slaves when brought here, have Chains put on, three or four

linked together, under the Care of their _Gromettas_, till

Opportunity of Sale; and then go at about 15 Pounds a good Slave,

allowing the Buyer 40 or 50 _per Ct._ Advance on his Goods.

As these Slaves are placed under _Lodges_ near the Owner’s House,

for Air, Cleanliness, and Customers better viewing them, I had

every day the Curiosity of observing their Behaviour, which with

most of them was very dejected. Once, on looking over some of old

_Cracker_’s Slaves, I could not help taking notice of one Fellow

among the rest, of a tall, strong Make, and bold, stern aspect. As

he imagined we were viewing them with a design to buy, he seemed to

disdain his Fellow-Slaves for their Readiness to be examined, and as

it were scorned looking at us, refusing to rise or stretch out his

Limbs, as the Master commanded; which got him an unmerciful Whipping

from _Cracker_’s own Hand, with a cutting _Manatea Strap_, and had

certainly killed him but for the loss he himself must sustain by it;

all which the _Negro_ bore with Magnanimity, shrinking very little,

and shedding a Tear or two, which he endeavoured to hide as tho’

ashamed of. All the Company grew curious at his Courage, and wanted

to know of _Cracker_, how he came by him; who told us, that this same

Fellow, called Captain _Tomba_, was a Leader of some Country Villages

that opposed them, and their Trade, at the River _Nunes_; killing our

Friends there, and firing their Cottages. The Sufferers this way, by

the Help of my Men, (says _Cracker_) surprized, and bound him in the

Night, about a Month ago, he having killed two in his Defence, before

they could secure him, and from thence he was brought hither, and

made my Property.

_Remark 2._ _Sierraleon River_ is very broad here, but in ten or

twelve Miles rowing upwards, narrow to half the Breadth of the

_Thames_ at _London_, spread on both sides thick with _Mangroves_;

Trees, or slender woody Shrubs, that spring from the low, watry Banks

of Rivers, in warm Climates. From the Branches, the Sap descends

again and takes a second Root, and so on, a third, fourth, _&c._ that

the Ground is all covered; very difficult, if not impossible for

Men to penetrate: This makes them fit Haunts for the _Manatea_ and

_Crocodile_ (Sea-Cow and Alligator) which, with the _Shirks_, very

much infest the River. A Story or two of these Creatures, may not be

unacceptable.

The _Manatea_ is about eleven or twelve Foot long, and in girt half

as much; Teeth only in the back part of her Mouth, which are like

the Ox’s, as is also her Muzzle and Head; with this difference, that

her Eyes are small in proportion, and Ears you can scarce thrust a

Bodkin in; close to her Ears almost, are two broad Finns, sixteen or

eighteen Inches long, that feel at the Extremities as tho’ jointed;

a broad Tail, Cuticle granulated, and of a colour and touch like

Velvet: the true Skin an Inch thick, used by the _West-Indians_ in

Thongs for punishing their Slaves; weigh to five or fix hundred

Weight; of a firm Flesh, that cuts fat, lean, and white like Veal:

Boiled, stewed, or roasted (for I have eaten it all ways) it has no

fishy Taste, but is as acceptable a Treat as Venison to Cockneighs.

The _Negroes_ way of taking them, is in a _Canoo_, which they paddle

towards the _Manatea_ with as little noise as possible, (she being

extreamly quick of hearing:) when near enough, a Man placed ready in

the Boat’s Head, strikes in his Harpoon with a long Pole into her,

and lets go. She makes towards the _Mangroves_ immediately, and the

Water being shallow, they now and then get sight of the Pole, and so

follow, renewing the Strokes till they kill, or weary her, and then

drag her ashore.

The _Alligator_ answers in all respects, and doubtless is the

_Egyptian Crocodile_; shaped not unlike the _Lizard_, but of

two hundred Weight perhaps, covered with hard Scales that are

impenetrable to Shot, unless very near; long Jaws set with sharp

Teeth, two very large, and two small: Finns like Hands: A Tail thick

and continuous; will live a long time out of the Water, being sold

frequently alive in the _West-Indies_. They are not shy, but rather

bold, and tho’ easily waked, will not make off presently, our Boats

falling down with the Stream within a few yards of them, before they

stir; laying basking to the Sun, in little muddy Nooks they form in

their egress from the _Mangroves_. When they float upon the Water,

they lie very still and like a Log of Timber, till the little Fry

underneath come unwarily sporting about them and tempt their greedy

Stomachs; they diving very quick upon their Prey.

One of these set upon a Man of Captain _Masterton_’s, a Sloop that

put in here from _Sherbro_. The Sailor, to avoid walking round a

Bay, and being mellow with drinking, would needs cut his way short

by wading over a weedy part of it up to his Breast, where the

_Alligator_ seized him; and the Fellow having full Courage, ran his

Arm down his Throat: Notwithstanding which, the _Crocodile_ loosed,

and renewed the Battle two or three times, till a Canoo that saw

the Distress, paddled to his Relief, but he was torn unmercifully

in his Buttocks, Arms, Shoulders, Thighs, and Sides; and had not

the Creature been young, must certainly have been killed. The Man

recovered of his Wounds.

_Shirks_ very much infest the Mouth of this River; the most bold and

ravenous of the watry Tribe: He never forsakes your Hook, till he is

taken, and slights the Proverb,

_Occultum visus decurrere piscis ad hamum._

We have catched three in less than half an hour, each 8 or 10 Foot

long, the Livers of them making above ten Gallons of Oil. They have

four or five Rows of short, sharp Teeth, one within another, and the

Sides of them indented like Saws. Their Swallows 14 and 16 Inches

over. In the Maws, we found Beef Bones, and what other Trash had been

thrown over-board in the Day; for they are like the Parson’s Barn;

they turn on their backs to take in their Prey. Our Seamen dressed

and eat the Flesh, tho’ very strong; the fault of all carnivorous

Animals.

These _Shirks_ have generally two, three, or more pretty-coloured

little Fish, the bigness of Herrings attending them, called _Pilots_:

They go in and out at his Maw, or fasten on his Back, in familiar

manner: They are supposed like the _Jackall_ to the _Lion_, to be

instrumental in procuring him Prey, and warning him of Danger in

Shoals, for which he receives Food, and Protection from the _Shirk_.

I shall give an Instance or two within my own knowledge, to shew the

Boldness and Rapacity of this Fish.

The _Weymouth_’s Barge rowing up _Gambia_ River, a _Shirk_ made to

them, and notwithstanding the noise of so many Oars, seized one of

them in his Mouth, and snapped it in two.

At _Whydah_, a very dangerous Coast to land at, having two Bars

before it, and great Seas; a Canoo was going on shore from a

Merchant-Ship with some Goods, and in attempting to land, overset: A

_Shirk_ nigh hand, seized upon one of the Men in the Water, and by

the Swell of the Sea, they were both cast on shore; notwithstanding

which, the _Shirk_ never quitted his hold, but with the next _Ascend_

of the Sea, carried him clear off.

In short, their Voracity refuses nothing; Canvas, Ropeyarns, Bones,

Blanketing, _&c._ I have seen them frequently seize a Corpse, as soon

as it was committed to the Sea; tearing and devouring that, and the

_Hammock_ that shrouded it, without suffering it once to sink, tho’ a

great Weight of Ballast in it.

There are in the Bays of this River, variety of good Fish,

that supplies the Scarcity of Flesh; Turtle, Mullet, Skate,

[6]Ten-pounders, [7]Old-wives, [8]Cavalloes, [9]Barricudoes,

[10]Sucking-Fish, Oysters, [11]Cat-Fish, Bream, and Numb-Fish; the

most of which we catch’d in great numbers with our Searn; two or

three Hours in a Morning supplying a Belly-full to the whole Ship’s

Company.

The Oysters and Numb-Fish have something peculiar; the former

growing, or rather sticking in great Bunches of twenty or thirty,

upon the Rocks and Mangroves, to which they seemingly grow, very

small and ill-tasted.

The latter, which is the _Torpedo_ of the Ancients, is flat as a

Skate, so very cold as to numb the Hands or Arms of those who touch

him, but goes off again in few Hours; and with a Stick you may toss

him about a Day together without any other Harm than losing your

time.

_Remark 3._ The Country about _Sierraleon_ is so thick spread with

Wood, that you cannot penetrate a Pole’s length from the Water-side,

unless between the Town, and Fountain whence they fetch their Water,

without a great deal of difficulty. They have Paths however through

these Woods, to their [12]Lollas, and [13]Lugars, which tho’ but a

mile or two from the Town, are frequently the Walks of wild Beasts;

their Excrement I have found up and down in walking here, white and

mixed with Ossicles.

The Shores hereabouts, like those of _Sweden_, are rocky, and without

any Cover of Earth almost; yet produce large Trees, the Roots

spreading on the Surface: The chief of these are the Palm, the Coco,

and the Cotton-Tree, described _p._ 198, in the first Volume of the

_History of the Pyrates_.

Other Vegetables for Food are Rice, Yams, [14]Plantanes,

[15]Pine-Apples, [16]Limes, Oranges, [17]Papais, Palm-nuts, wild

Roots, and Berries.

This is their common Sustenance; the Gift of Providence, without

their Care; they might abound, but prefer Ease and Indolence, he

being greatest among them, who can afford to eat [18]Rice all the

Year round. Kid and Fowl, they have a few, and were all the domestick

Animals I saw.

_Remark 4._ On the Negroes here, their Clothing, Customs and Religion.

The _Men_ are well-limbed, clean Fellows; flattish-nosed, and many

with _Exomphalos’s_; the Effect of bad Midwifry, or straining in

their Infancy to walk; for they are never taught, but creep upon a

Matt on all Fours, till they have Strength to erect themselves; and

notwithstanding this, are seldom distorted. These do not circumcise,

but the Slaves brought from the Northward are frequently so; perhaps

from bordering on _Morocco_.

The _Women_ are not nigh so well shaped as the Men: Childing, and

their Breasts always pendulous, stretches them to so unseemly a

Length and Bigness, that some, like the _Ægyptians_, I believe, could

suckle over their Shoulders. Their being imployed in all Labour,

makes them robust; for such as are not _Gromettas_, work hard in

Tillage, make Palm-Oil, or spin Cotton; and when they are free from

such work, the idle Husbands put them upon breading and fetishing out

their Wool, they being prodigious proud and curious in this sort of

Ornament; and keep them every day, for many hours together, at it.

Their _Houses_ are low, little Hutts, not quite so bad as many in

_Yorkshire_, built with wooden Stockades set in the ground, in a

round or square form, thatched with Straw; they are swept clean every

day; and for Furniture, have a Matt or two to lie down upon; two or

three earthen or wooden Dishes, and Stools, with a Spoon, all of

their own making. They are idle, principally from want of Arts and

domestick Employments: for as I observed, they are so cautious of

planting too much, and wasting their Labour, that they are really

improvident; smoaking all day in long Reed-Pipes together; unplagued

with To-morrow, or the Politicks of _Europe_.

Whole Towns shift their Habitations, either when they do not like

their Neighbours, or have more Conveniency somewhere else; soon

clearing Ground enough for what Building and Culture they purpose.

_Seignior Joseph_, a Christian _Negro_ of this Place, has lately

with his People left a clean, well-built Town, and removed further

up the River. Their Huts are mostly orbicular, forming a spacious

square Area in the middle, and _in this_, the doors paved with

Cockle-Shells; two or three Crosses erected, and round about,

Lime-trees, Papais, Plantanes, Pine-apples, and a few Bee-hives; the

latter made out of pieces of old Trees, three foot long, hollowed and

raised on two Poles.

In the middle of the Area was a great Curiosity, a large Tree with

500 _hanging Nests_ at least upon it; this is a small familiar Bird,

that builds thus about their Towns, upon the extreme slenderest

Twigs, hanging like Fruit, and declares the Wisdom of Instinct, since

it’s designed a Security for their Young, against Monkeys, Parrots,

Squirrels, _&c._ Creatures of Prey, whose Weight cannot there be

supported.

_Anointing_ their Body and Limbs with Palm-Oil, is a daily Practice

with both Sexes; some use [19]Civet, but all cast a strong,

disagreeable Smell; this mending it much like as melted Tallow is by

a Perfumer’s Shop.

_Palaavers_ are their Courts of Judicature, where the principal or

elderly Men amongst them meet in a Ring or under a _Lodge_, to settle

the Differences that arise amongst themselves, or with the Factories;

the frequentest are in relation to Trade. Each salutes the other at

meeting, by a _Bend_ of the Elbow, and raising his Hand to his Face.

When they have heard what each Party has to say, they determine by

Vote, who has the Reason of the thing on their side, and so punish,

or acquit. For Fornication, the Party (whether Man or Woman) is sold

for a Slave. If a white Man lies with another’s Slave, he is bound

to redeem her at a current Price. On a Charge of Murder, Adultery,

or _if there can be_ any other more heinous Crime among them, the

suspected Person must drink of a red Water his Judges prepare; which

is called, purging the Criminal: that is, if the suspected be of

ill Life, or had Envy to the deceased, so that the Surmizes against

him are strong, though they want positive Evidence; they will give

him so much of that Liquor as shall kill him; but if inclined to

spare him, they politickly give less, or make it weaker, whereby his

Innocence appears the better to the Friends and Relations of the

deceased.

_Panyarring_, is a Term for Man-stealing along the whole Coast: Here

it’s used also, for stealing any thing else; and by Custom (their

Law) every Man has a right to seize of another at any Conveniency,

so much as he can prove afterwards, at the _Palaaver_-Court, to have

been defrauded of, by any body in the same place he was cheated.

_Dancing_ is the Diversion of their Evenings: Men and Women make

a Ring in an open part of the Town, and one at a time shews his

Skill in antick Motions and Gesticulations, yet with a great deal

of Agility, the Company making the Musick by clapping their hands

together during the time, helped by the louder noise of two or three

Drums made of a hollowed piece of Tree, and covered with Kid-Skin.

Sometimes they are all round in a Circle laughing, and with uncouth

Notes, blame or praise somebody in the Company.

During our stay at this _Port_, we paid a Visit to _Seignior Joseph_,

about nine miles up the River. The Reason of his leaving the other

Town, he told me was, the frequent _Palaavers_ he was engaged in,

on account of Differences between his People and the _Grimattoes_,

and the great Expence he was at, in so near a Neighbourhood with

the _English_. He has been in _England_ and _Portugal_; at the last

place he was baptized, and took in that christian Erudition that

he endeavours to propagate. He has built a little Oratory for his

People’s Devotions; erected a Cross; taught several of his Kindred

Letters, dispersing among them little Romish Prayer-Books, and many

of them are known by Christian Names. Those of the Country not yet

initiated, never have but one. _Mousi_, or _Moses_; _Yarrat_, and

_Cambar_, are very common Names to the Men; _Baulee_, and _Kibullee_,

to the Women. Others take the _Cognomen_ from their Disposition;

Lion, Lamb, Bear, Hog, _&c._ like our _Danish_ Ancestors. _Seignior

Joseph_, who is very communicative, tells me, to the extent of his

knowledge, the People are cleanly, of good Temper, and docible; all

wishing some Missionaries would think their Conversion and Wants

worth regarding: But the Poverty of their Country will probably

keep them a long time from that Benefit. There is no Invitation in

a barren Soil, scarce of Provisions and Necessaries, Danger of wild

Beasts a mile from Home (especially Wolves;) and about their Houses,

Rats, Snakes, Toads, Musquitoes, Centipes, Scorpions, Lizards, and

innumerable Swarms of Ants, a white, black, and red sort, that build

to 8 or 9 Foot high, dig up the Foundation of their Houses in two

or three Years, or turn a Chest of Cloaths to Dust (if not watched)

in as many Weeks. This Christian _Negro_, by the Advantage of Trade,

has in some measure removed the Wants of his own Family (his Towns;)

they are tolerably stocked with _Guinea_ Hens, Fish, and Venison;

while the Country fifty miles off, he says, have little to feed on

but Honey, and Manyoco Root. He received us in a _Europæan_ Dress

(Gown, Slippers, Cap, _&c._) and sent his Canoos out to shew us

the Diversion of chasing the _Manatea_; they brought one ashore in

two hours time, and we had stewed, roast, and boiled, with a clean

Table-cloth, Knives and Forks, and Variety of Wines and strong Beer,

for our Entertainment. The Flesh of this Creature was white, and not

fishy; but very tough, and seasoned high (as are all their Dishes)

with Ochre, Malaguetta, and Bell-pepper.

His Kinswomen came into the Room after we had dined, and to them

other Neighbours, saluting those of their own Colour, one by one, by

making a Bend of their right Elbow, so that the Hand comes nigh the

Mouth; the other to whom she addresses, is in the same Posture, and

mixing their Thumbs and middle Fingers, they snap them gently off,

and retreat with a small Quaker-like Obeysance, decently and without

Hurry or Laugh. They shewed likewise much good-nature towards one

another, in dividing two or three Biskets, and half a Pint of Citron

Water (we brought) into twenty Parts, rather than any one should miss

a Taste. In conclusion, _Seignior Joseph_ saw us to the Boat, and

took leave with the same Complaisance he had treated us.

The _Religion_ here, if it may be called such, is their Veneration

to _Gregries_: Every one keeps in his House, in his Canoo, or

about his Person, something that he highly reverences, and that he

imagines can, and does defend him from Miscarriage, in the nature our

Country-Folks do Charms, but with more Fear: And these things are

very various; either a cleaved piece of Wood, a Bundle of peculiar

little Sticks or Bones, a Monkey’s Skull, or the like. To these,

every Family has now and then a Feast, inviting one another; but of

this more, under the Word _Fetish_.

[Illustration: (decorative banner)]

_The GRAIN and MALAGUETTA Coasts._

We left _Sierraleon_ and were joined by our Consort the _Weymouth_,

_May_ 1, from _Gambia_; we found upon Conference, that both Ships had

like to have ended their Voyage at these first Ports: She had run on

a Sand in that River, wringing three Days and Nights in a Tide’s way,

with great difficulty getting off: We, at _Sierraleon_ letting in

Water to the Ship one Evening, had forgot the Plug, till we had 5 or

6 Foot Water in the Hold.

The Company’s Presents, we understood by them, were received well

there by the King of _Barra_, and he has given the Factors leave to

build a Fortification at _Gilliflee_, a Town commanded by a Woman,

about 15 Miles up the River; made a Duchess by Captain _Passenger_,

from whence the Custom I believe has been taken up, of distinguishing

the most deserving Fellows at trading Towns by the Titles of Knights,

Colonels, and Captains, which they are very proud of. This Duchess

of _Gilliflee_ has become very much the Factory’s Friend there, and

gives all possible Assistance in their Settlement.

Cape _St. Mary’s_, or the Starboard Entrance of that River, they

found no Cannibals, as commonly reported among Sailors; but a

civilized People, with whom they wooded their Ship.

On the 4th we were off Cape _Monte_, and next day _Montzerado_,

both high Lands; the former appearing in a double, the latter with

a single _Hommock_; the Country trenching from them, low and woody;

about 35 Fathom Water 3 Leagues from Shore. From the latter, came

off a Canoo with the _Cabiceer_, Captain _John Hee_, distinguished by

an old Hat, and Sailor’s Jackett with a greater number of thick brass

Rings on his Fingers and Toes, than his Attendants. He seemed shy of

entering the Ship, apprehending a _Panyarring_; his Town’s People

having often suffered by the Treachery of Ships, and they as often

returned it, sometimes with Cruelty, which has given rise to the

Report of their being Savages and Cannibals at several places; very

unlikely any where, because they could not part with their Slaves,

which are but few, if they had this Custom, nor could they have any

Trade or Neighbours: Their Fears would make them shun their Enemies

(the rest of Mankind) and all Correspondence totally cease.

The _Fetish_ they brought off, on this dangerous Voyage, was a Bundle

of small, black Sticks, like a hundred of Sparrowgrass put into a

Bag, knit of Silk-grass, and hanging over one of their Shoulders,

seeming to place a Security and Confidence in it; for I would have

handled and tasted it, but found it put them in a Fright, saying, to

deter me, _You didee, you kicatavoo_, (i. e.) if you eat, you die

presently.

The mutual Distrust between us, made their present Business only

begging old Breeches, Shirts, Rags, Biskett, and whatever else they

saw, parting in some hurry, and calling to one another for that end,

in a Note like what Butchers use in driving Cattle. They have plenty

of Milhio, Rice, Yamms, and Salt hereabouts.

We found in our coasting by _Bashau_, and other trading Towns, the

same Fears subsisting, coming off every day in their Canoos, and then

at a stand whether they should enter: The boldest would sometimes

come on board, bringing Rice, Malaguetta, and Teeth, but staying

under Fear and Suspicion. Here we may take these Observations.

1. _Canoos_ are what are used through the whole Coast for

transporting Men and Goods. Each is made of a single Cotton-tree,

chizelled and hollowed into the shape of a Boat; some of them 8 or 10

Foot broad, carrying twenty Rowers. The Negroes do not row one way

and look another, but all forward, and standing at their Paddles,

they dash together with dexterity, and if they carry a _Cabiceer_,

always sing; a Mark of Respect.

2. _Cabiceers_ are the principal of the trading Men at all Towns;

their Experience, or Courage having given them that Superiority: All

Acts of Government in their several Districts, are by their Votes.

They came off to us with some _English_ Title and Certificate; the

Favour of former Traders to them, for their Honesty and good Service;

and were they done with Caution, might be of use to Ships as they

succeed in the Trade: Whereas now they contain little Truth, being

done out of Humour, and learn them only to beg or steal with more

Impudence.

3. The _Negrish_ Language alters a little in sailing, but as they are

Strangers to Arts, _&c._ restrained to a few Words, expressive of

their Necessities: This I think, because in their Meetings they are

not talkative; In their Trading the same Sound comes up often; and

their Songs, a Repetition of six Words a hundred times.

Some _Negrish_ Words.

_Didee_, Eat.

_Malafia_, }

_Govina_, } Ivory.

_Malembenda_, Rice.

_Cockracoo_, Fowl.

_Praam_, Good.

_Nino_, Sleep.

_Sam sam_, all one.

_Acquidera_, Agreed.

_Oura_, Very well.

_Tomy_, Arse-clout.

_Attee, ho_, How do you?

_Dashee_, a Present.

_Kickatavoo_, Killed, or Dead.

_Tossu_, Be gone.

_Yarra_, Sick.

_Fabra_, Come.

_Brinnee_, White Man.

_Bovinee_, Black Man.

_Soquebah_, Gone, lost.

_Tongo_, Man’s Privities.

_Bombo_, Woman’s.

Lastly, the Dress common to both Sexes every where, is the _Tomy_,

or Arse-clout, and the pleating or breading of their Wooll. The

Arse-clout the Women tie about their Hips, and falls half way down

their Thigh all round; but the Men bring it under their Twist, and

fasten just upon the girdling part behind. Both take great delight in

twisting the Wool of their Heads into Ringlets, with Gold or Stones,

and bestow a great deal of Time and Genius in it.

The Women are fondest of what they call _Fetishing_, setting

themselves out to attract the good Graces of the Men. They carry a

Streak round their Foreheads, of white, red, or yellow Wash, which

being thin, falls in lines before it dries. Others make Circles

with it, round the Arms and Bodies, and in this frightful Figure,

please. The Men, on the other side, have their Ornaments consist in

Bracelets; or Manilla’s, about their Wrists and Ancles, of Brass,

Copper, Pewter, or Ivory; the same again on their Fingers and Toes: a

Necklace of Monkey’s Teeth, Ivory Sticks in their Ears, with a broad

head. Most of them have one, two, or more of these Ornaments, and

have an Emulation in the number and use of them.

When the Nakedness, Poverty and Ignorance of these Species of Men

are considered; it would incline one to think it a bettering their

Condition, to transport them to the worst of Christian Slavery; but

as we find them little mended in those respects at the _West-Indies_,

their Patrons respecting them only as Beasts of Burthen; there

is rather Inhumanity in removing them from their Countries and

Families; here they get Ease with their spare Diet; the Woods,

the Fruits, the Rivers, and Forests, with what they produce, is

equally the property of all. By Transfretation they get the brown

Bread, without the Gospel: together, as Mr. _Baxter_ observed, they

might be good Fare, but hard Work and Stripes without it, must be

allowed an unpleasant Change. They are fed, it’s true, but with

the same Diet and Design we do Horses; and what is an aggravating

Circumstance, they have a Property in nothing, not even in their

Wives and Children. No wonder then, Men under this View, or worse

Apprehensions, should be prompted with Opportunity frequently to

sacrifice the Instruments of it.

[Illustration: (decorative banner)]

_SESTHOS._

We anchored before _Sesthos_, or _Sesthio_, _May_ 10th, a Place

where most of our windward Slave-ships stop to buy Rice, exchanged

at about 2_s._ per Quintal. The River is about half the breadth of

the _Thames_; a narrow Entrance only for Boats on the starboard

Side, between two Rocks, which, on great Swells and Winds, make the

shooting of it dangerous; the rest of the breadth being choaked with

Sands.

The Town is large, and built after a different Model from those we

have left; they run them up (square or round) four Foot from the

Earth; at that height, is the first and chief Room, to sit, talk, or

sleep in, lined with matted Rinds of Trees, supported with Stockades,

and in the middle of it, a Fire-place for Charcoal, that serves a

double Purpose; driving off Insects and Vermine, and drying their

Rice and _Indian_ Corn. Of the upper Loft they make a Store-house,

that runs up pyramidal 30 foot; making the Town at distance, appear

like a number of Spires, each standing singly.

This, and every Town hereabouts, had a _Palaaver-Room_, a publick

Place of meeting for the People to council, and transact the Business

of the Society: They are large, and built something like our _Lodges_

for Carts, open, 4 foot from the Ground; then a Stage to sit, rafted

and well covered against Rain and Sun-shine. Here they meet without

distinction; King and Subject, smoaking from Morning to Night. At

this Place, it is common to bring your Traffick; brass Pans, pewter

Basins, Powder, Shot, old Chests, _&c._ and exchange for Rice, Goats

and Fowls. Two or three Pipes, a Charge of Powder, or such a Trifle,

buys a Fowl. A 2 pound Basin buys a Goat; and I purchased two for

an old Chest, with a Lock to it. Such a piece of Mechanism I found

a Rarity, and brought all the Country down to admire. A Watch still

encreased their Wonder; and making _Paper speak_ (as they call it) is

a Miracle.

They bring their written Certificates hinted above, and when you

tell them the Contents, or they are made Messengers of Notes between

_English_ Ships, they express the utmost Surprize at such sort of

Knowledge and Intercourse; it infinitely exceeds their Understanding,

and impresses a superior and advantageous Idea of the _Europeans_.

The King who commands here has the Name of _Pedro_; he lives about

five Miles up the River, a Sample of Negro Majesty.

As there is a _Dashee_ expected before Ships can wood and water

here; it was thought expedient to send the Royal Perquisite up by

Embassy (a Lieutenant and Purser) who being in all respects equal

to the Trust, were dismissed with proper Instructions, and being

arrived at the King’s Town, they were ushered or thrust in by some

of the Courtiers into the common _Palaaver-Room_ (to wait the King’s

dressing, and coming from his Palace) his publick Audience being ever

in the Presence of the People. After waiting an hour, King _Pedro_

came attended by a hundred _naked Nobles_, all smoaking, and a Horn

blowing before them. The King’s Dress was very antick: He had a

dirty, red Bays Gown on, chequer’d with patch-work of other Colours,

like a _Jack pudding_, and a Fellow to bear the Train, which was a

narrow Slip of _Culgee_ tacked to the bottom of the Gown. He had

an old black full-bottom’d Wig, uncombed; an old Hat not half big

enough, and so set considerably behind the Fore-top, that made his

meagre Face like a Scare-crow; coarse Shoes and Stockings, unbuckled

and unty’d, and a brass Chain of 20_lib._ at least about his Neck.

To this Figure of a Man, our modern Embassadors in their Holiday

Suits, fell on their Knees, and might have continued there till this

time, for what _Pedro_ cared: He was something surprized indeed, but

took it for the Fashion of their Country, and so kept making instant

Motions for the _Dashee_. This brought them from their Knees, as

the proper Attitude for presenting it; consisting in a trading Gun,

two pieces of salt Ship-beef, a Cheese, a Bottle of Brandy, a Dozen

of Pipes, and two Dozen of Congees. But _Pedro_, who understood the

Present better than the Bows, did not seem pleased when he saw it;

not for any defect in the Magnificence, but they were such things

as he had not present Occasion for; asking some of their Clothes

and to take those back again, particularly their Breeches, sullied

a little with kneeling in the Spittle: But on a _Palaaver_ with his

Ministers, the Present was accepted, and the Officers dismissed

back with a Glass of Palm-Wine and _Attee, ho_, (the common way of

Salutation with Thumbs and Fingers mixed, and snapping off.)

To smooth the King into a good Opinion of our Generosity, we made it

up to his Son, _Tom Freeman_; who, to shew his good-nature, came on

board uninvited, bringing his Flagelet, and obliging us with some

wild Notes. Him we dress’d with an edg’d Hat, a Wig, and a Sword, and

gave a Patent upon a large Sheet of Parchment, creating him Duke of

_Sesthos_, affixing all our Hands, and the Impress of a Butter mark

on Putty.

This was taken so kindly by the Father, that he sent us a couple of

Goats in return, and his younger Son _Josee_ for further Marks of

our Favour; whom we dignified also, on a small Consideration, with

the Title of _Prince of Baxos_. Several indeed had been titled, but

none so eminently, as by Patent, before; which procured us the entire

good-will of the King; suffering us at any time to hawl our Searn in

the River, where we catched good store of Mullets, Soles, Bump noses,

and Rock-fish; and to go up to their Villages unmolested.

In one of these Towns, some others of us paid a Visit to his Majesty,

whom we found at a Palace built as humble as a Hog-sty; the entrance

was narrow like a Port-hole, leading into what we may call his

Court-Yard, a slovenly little Spot, and two or three Hutts in it,

which I found to be the Apartment of his Women. From this we popped

through another short Portico, and discovered him on the left hand,

upon a place without his House, raised like a Taylor’s Shop-board,

and smoaking with two or three old Women, (the favourite Diversion of

both Sexes.) His Dress and Figure, with the novelty of ours, created

mutual Smiles which held a few Minutes, and then we took leave with

the _Attee, ho_.

From his Town we went to two others still farther up the River; at

one of them was a bright yellow-colour’d Man, and being curious to

know his Original, were informed (if we interpret their Signs and

Language right) that he came from a good distance in the Country,

where were more. Captain _Bullfinch Lamb_, and others, have since

told me, they had seen several; Mr. _Thompson_, that he saw one

at _Angola_, and another at _Madagascar_; a great Rarity, and as

perplexing to account for, as the black Colour.

_Exomphalos’s_ are very common among the _Negroes_ here. I saw also

one squint-ey’d; another without a Nose; and another with a Hair Lip;

Blemishes rare among them. Circumcision is used pretty much; not as

a religious Symbol, but at the Humour of the Parent, who had found a

Conveniency in it.

The Diet is Rice, Potatoes, Yacoes or _Indian_ Corn, Parsly, and

other Vegetables; the Cultivation of which, and their domestick

Affairs, are all imposed on the Women.

In general may be observed, they are exceeding _cowardly_, like other

Countries undisciplined; a whole Town running away from a Boat with

white Men. _Thievish_ on their own Dunghills; none of them seeming to

have any Notion of it as a Crime, and quarrel only about a Share of

what is stole. So _lazy_, that Scores of them will attend our Searn

for a Bisket, or the Distribution of such small Fish as are thrown

by; for tho’ their Waters afford great Plenty, they want the Means or

Inclination to catch them; chusing rather to loiter and jump about

the Sands, or play at round Holes, than endeavour to get Food for

themselves.

[Illustration: (decorative banner)]

_Cape APOLLONIA._

From _Sesthos_, we reached in two or three Days _Cape Palma_; weighed

Anchor from _Jaque a Jaques_, the _28th_; from _Bassau_, the _30th_;

_Assmee_, the _31st_; and anchored here the _6th_ of _June_. In this

part of our Sailing may be observed,

1. That the Land from _Sierraleon_, excepting two or three Capes, and

that about _Drewin_, appears low, and the first Land you see (as the

_Irishman_ says) is Trees; runs very streight without Bays or Inlets,

which makes it difficult to distinguish, and impossible for us to

land safely at; the Surff breaking all along to a great height, by

means of a continued Swell from a vast Southern Ocean; a Sea which

the Natives only understand, and can push their Canoos through. This

seems a natural Prohibition to Strangers, and whence it follows in

respect to Trade, that Ships are obliged to send their Boats with

Goods near Shore, where the Natives meet them, and barter for Slaves,

Gold, and Ivory; for at many places a _Grandee Shippee_ (as they call

it) affrights them, and they will venture then, as I imagine they can

swim.

2. The Ground is very tough, our Consort and we losing three

Anchors in heaving a Purchase; we stopping at Nights for fear of

over-shooting Places of Trade.

3. We find pretty equal Soundings, _about 14 Fathom Water_, _a League

from Shore_, unless at one noted place, a _Lusus Naturæ_, called the

_bottomless Pit_, 7 Leagues below _Jaque a Jaques_, where the Depth

is all at once unfathomable, and about three Miles over.

The great Sir _Is. Newton_, in his calculating the Force of Gravity,

says, Bodies decrease in their Weight, and Force of their Fall, in

the Proportion of the Squares of Distance from the Center; so that a

Tun at the Surface of the Earth would weigh but ¼ of a Tun, removed

one Semi-Diameter of the Earth higher; and at three Semi-Diameters,

but the 1/16 of a Tun. In like manner their Velocities of Descent

decrease: A Body at the Surface which would fall 16 foot in a Second,

at 12000 Miles high, or three Semi-Diameters, would fall only 1/16,

or one Foot in a Second; but at all given Distances, something, _&c._

Now, according to this Rule, heaving a _Lead_ in great depths of

Water, the Velocity should increase with the descent or sinking of

it; since in the Progress of Gravity, the falling Body in every

space of Time receives a new Impulse, and continually acting, the

same Gravity super-adds a new Velocity; so that at the end of two

Seconds, to be double what it was at the end of the first, and so

on, which here the Weight of the super-incumbent Medium should still

more accelerate. Yet a Lead-line is drawn out perceptibly slower at

the second, than the first hundred Fathoms: But perhaps this proceeds

from the increasing quantity of Line to be drawn with it, not so

equally apt to demerge, and a _Nisus_ in all Bodies of Water, from

below upwards, contrary to Gravity.

4. The Winds were more Southerly _than above_, checking the

Land-Breeze, which obtaining brings strong unwholesome Smells from

the _Mangroves_.

5. Their Diet being very slovenly, and much of a piece in this Track,

I shall here entertain you with two or three of their Dishes.

_Slabbersauce_ is made of Rice and Fish, a Fowl, a Kid, or Elephant’s

Flesh, the better for being on the stink. They boil this with a good

quantity of _Ochre_ and _Palm-Oil_, and is accounted a royal Feast.

A Dog is a Rarity with some: Our Master had a little Boy-Slave of

eight years of Age, in exchange for one. At other Places, Monkeys are

a very common Diet.

_Bomini_ is Fish dried in the Sun without Salt; stinking, they put it

in a Frying-pan with _Palm-Oil_, then mixed with boiled Rice, snatch

it up greedily with their Fingers.

_Black Soupee_ is a favourite Dish, as well at our Factories, as

among the _Negroes_; we make it of Flesh or Fowl, stew’d sweet,

with some uncommon tasted Herbs; but the ascendant Taste is Pepper,

_Ochre_, and _Palm-Oil_. At first I thought it disagreeable, but

Custom reconciled it as the best in the Country: Men’s way of Diet

being certainly a principal Reason why in all places some of Land

and Sea-animals are approved or rejected; liked in one Country, and

detested in another.

To return to _Jaque a Jaques_; we met there the _Robert_ of

_Bristol_, Captain _Harding_, who sailed from _Sierraleon_ before

us, having purchased thirty Slaves, whereof Captain _Tomba_ mentioned

there was one; he gave us the following melancholly Story. That

this _Tomba_, about a Week before, had combined with three or four

of the stoutest of his Country-men to kill the Ship’s Company, and

attempt their Escapes, while they had a Shore to fly to, and had

near effected it by means of a Woman-Slave, who being more at large,

was to watch the proper Opportunity. She brought him word one night

that there were no more than five white Men upon the Deck, and they

asleep, bringing him a Hammer at the same time (all the Weapons

that she could find) to execute the Treachery. He encouraged the

Accomplices what he could, with the Prospect of Liberty, but could

now at the Push, engage only one more and the Woman to follow him

upon Deck. He found three Sailors sleeping on the Fore-castle, two of

which he presently dispatched, with single Strokes upon the Temples;

the other rouzing with the Noise, his Companions seized; _Tomba_

coming soon to their Assistance, and murdering him in the same

manner. Going aft to finish the work, they found very luckily for the

rest of the Company, that these other two of the Watch were with the

Confusion already made awake, and upon their Guard, and their Defence

soon awaked the Master underneath them, who running up and finding

his Men contending for their Lives, took a Hand-spike, the first

thing he met with in the Surprize, and redoubling his Strokes home

upon _Tomba_, laid him at length flat upon the Deck, securing them

all in Irons.

The Reader may be curious to know their Punishment: Why, Captain

_Harding_ weighing the Stoutness and Worth of the two Slaves, did,

as in other Countries they do by Rogues of Dignity, whip and scarify

them only; while three others, Abettors, but not Actors, nor of

Strength for it, he sentenced to cruel Deaths; making them first eat

the Heart and Liver of one of them killed. The Woman he hoisted up by

the Thumbs, whipp’d, and slashed her with Knives, before the other

Slaves till she died.

From this Ship we learned also, that the inland Country who had

suffered by the _Panyarrs_ of the _Cobelohou_ and _Drewin_ People,

have lately been down, and destroyed the Towns, and the Trade is now

at a stand; and perhaps the Consciousness of this Guilt increases

their Fears of us. The Ceremony of contracting Friendship and Trade,

is dropping a little salt-water into the Eye, or taking it into their

Mouth, and spurting out again; which must be answer’d, or no Trade

will follow.

At Cape _Apollonia_, the Natives are of a jet black, very lively

and bold, accustomed to Trade, and better fetished than their

Neighbours; have cleaner and larger _Tomys_, wear Amber Beads,

Copper Rings, Cowrys, and their Wooll twisted in numberless little

Rings and Tufts, with bits of Shell, Straw, or Gold twisted in them.

They have all a Dagger † cut in their Cheek, and often in other

Parts of their Body: A Custom preserved among a few, down to the

Gold Coast. The _Romans_ and _Goths_, when possessed of _Barbary_,

exempted the _Christians_ from Tribute; and to know them, engraved

a + upon their Cheeks; but this seems too distant for any Analogy

with theirs. All we learn is, its being a very ancient Custom, and

distinguishes them from the Country, who they _Panyarr_ and sell for

Slaves, naked at 4 _oz._ _per_ Head; allowing 100 _per Cent._ on

Goods, they cost at a medium 8_l._ Sterling. The _Cabiceers_, out

of this, demand a due of 20s. and the _Palaaver-Man_ 10_s._ whence

I conjecture they are more regularly trained to _Panyarring_ or

thieving, than the Towns we have past.

There is a great deal of Ground cleared about this Cape, and sown

with _Indian_ Corn; first brought among the _Negroes_, it’s said, by

the _Portuguese_.

[Illustration: (flower)]

[Illustration: (decorative banner)]

_Cabo TRES PUNTAS._

We stopped a few Hours at _Axim_ in our Passage from _Apollonia_,

and anchored here _June_ 7, most Ships doing it for the Conveniency

of watering, more difficultly supplied at any parts above. It is

called _Three Points_, from that number of Headlands that jutt one

without the other; within the innermost is a commodious Bay, nigh the

watering-place. _John Conny_, who is the principal _Cabiceer_, exacts

a Duty from all Ships, of an Ounce of Gold, for this Privilege; and

sends off a Servant with his Commission, a large Gold-headed Cane,

engraved _John Conny_, to demand it. Our Neglect herein, with some

opprobrious Treatment of the Agent, occasioned _John Conny_ next

day to come down with a _Posse_ and seize our Water casks ashore,

carrying away ten or a dozen of our Men Prisoners to his Town.

The Officer among them endeavouring to distinguish to _John_ the

Difference of a King’s Ship from others, got his Head broke: _John_

(who understood _English_ enough to swear) saying, by G—— me King

here, and will be paid not only for my Water, but the Trouble has

been given me in collecting it. Drink on, says he to the Sailors,

(knocking out the Head of a Half-Anchor of Brandy,) and eat what my

House affords; I know your part is to follow Orders. _John_, after

some trouble in negotiating, accepted in recompence, six Ounces of

Gold, and an Anchor of Brandy.

_His Town_ stands about three Miles Westward of the watering-place;

large, and as neatly raftered and built, as most of our North or West

small Country Villages. Every Man his Coco-trees round the House,

and in the Streets (such as they are) sit People to sell the Nuts,

Limes, Soap, _Indian_ Corn, and what is a great part of their Food,

_Canky_, the Work of the Women. It is made of _Indian_ Corn, after

this manner; they pound it in a Mortar for some time, then malaxing

it with Water and Palm-Wine, they grind it still finer with a Mull

upon a great Stone, which every House almost has at the Door for that

purpose; baked or boiled in Cakes, it makes a hearty and well-tasted

Bread.

The _Danish_ (or, as they say, the _Brandenburghers_) Fort was on

an adjacent Hill, of four or five Bastions, and could mount fifty

Guns. The Garison, when in being, probably taught the Natives the

way of marketing, observed only where the Factories are; but being

some few years since relinquished by them, it’s now in _John Conny_’s

possession, and has raised up some Contests and _Palaavers_ with the

_Dutch_: for they pretending a Title of Purchase, sent a Bomb-Vessel

and two or three Frigates last Year, to demand a Surrendry; but

_John_ being a bold and subtle Fellow, weighing their Strength,

answer’d, that he expected some Instrument should be shewed him to

confirm the _Brandenburghers_ Sale; and even with that (says he) I

can see no Pretence but to the Guns, the Brick, and Stone of the

Building, for the Ground was not theirs to dispose of. They have

paid me Rent for it, (continues he) and since they have thought fit

to remove, I do not design to tenant it out to any other white Men

while I live. This sort of _Palaaver_ nettled the _Dutch_; they threw

in some Bombs and Shot; and heating more with Rage and Brandy, very

rashly landed forty of their Men under the Command of a Lieutenant to

attack the Town: They fired once without any Damage, and then _John_

at the Head of his Men, rushing from under the Cover of the Houses,

outnumbred and cut them in pieces; paving the entrance of his Palace

soon after, with their Skulls.

This Advantage made him very rusty, upon what he called his Dues

from every body, tho’ just in Trade; and when we had returned to a

good Understanding, my self, with some other of our Officers paid

him a Visit: Our landing was dangerous, the Southerly Winds making

so great a Surff, nor could we do it by our own Boats, but Canoos

of his sending, paying an _Accy_ for the Service; they count the

Seas, and know when to paddle safely on or off. _John_ himself

stood on the Shore to receive us, attended with a Guard of twenty

or thirty Men under bright Arms, who conducted us to his House; a

Building pretty large, and raised from the Materials of the Fort.

It ascends with a double Stone Stair-case without, of twelve Steps;

on that Floor are three good Rooms; one his Armory, another his

Chamber, with a standing Bed in it, and the third for Entertainment

of Guests, furnished with Tables, Chairs, &c. We came to it thro’

two Court yards; the outermost has Houses for Officers and Servants

belonging to him, the inner (a spacious Square) has a Guard-Room and

good Armory fronting the Entrance, with Piazzas to accommodate his

Guard, and imitate in some measure the Grandeur he had observed in

the _Prussian_ Governours; _John_ having been some Years a Servant

with them, and thence had taken his Punctilio and Ceremony, and knew

how to put on a significant Countenance. He is a strong-made Man,

about fifty, of a sullen Look, and commands the Respect of being bare

headed, from all the _Negroes_ about him _that are worth Caps_. To us

he shewed very great Civility; we had returned his Salute of six Guns

with [20]an equal Number, and made up the Breach of Watering, on

his own terms; things that pleased him, and he gave us leave to fish

in a River on the back of his Town; but returning with very little

Success, which _John_ could not foresee, we were disappointed of our

Dinner, and had a hard Look into the Bargain, for he told us, this

ill Luck was owing to our neglect of giving the Waters a _Dashee_,

for it was a Grandee-man’s [21]_Fetish_, he said, and deserved more

notice; however we got some _Canky_-Bread, salt Butter, Cheese,

_Palm_-Wine, and Beer, served up with clean Plates, Knives, Napkins,

_&c._ One of his Wives (for he seemed to have many) sat all the time

he entertained us behind his Chair, big with Child, a clean Wrapper

round her, and handsomly fetished; both together, I believe, had in

Gold Chains about their Necks, their Wrists, Ancles and Legs, with

the Drops in their Hair, to 8 or 10_lib._ _Troy_-Weight.

Finding our Landlord cheerful and familiar, I ventured to ask him

what was become of the _Dutchmen’s_ Skulls that lately paved the

entrance of his House. He told me very frankly, that about a Month

before our Ship’s Arrival, he had put them all into a Chest with some

Brandy, Pipes, and Tobacco, and buried them; for, says he, it is time

that all Malice should depart, and the putting up a few Necessaries

with the Corps, such as they loved, is our way of respecting the

deceased. Among themselves, I learned it was customary with the

Rich, to sacrifice a Slave or two also at their Funerals. The under

Jawbones of these _Dutchmen_ he shewed me strung, and hanging on a

Tree in the Court-yard.

From this odd Ceremony in their Funerals, and what is above noted

upon the Word _Fetish_, it looks as though there were some dark

Notions of a future State among them, and an Expectance in it of

Retribution.

It is impossible to expect in such a State of Nature as theirs,

naked of Education and Science, that they should be able to form any

refined Notions of a Deity; which, we experience among our selves,

receives the Improvement with our growing Understanding, purely the

Effect of Art and Study; the Philosopher and Countryman being at

as much distance in their Explanation of divine Points, as it is

possible the Christian Sailor and the _Negro_ can be. Let us imagine

then, apart of our Species started up in the World, without knowing

how or why, (the _Negroes_ Case) and examine strictly in our own

Thoughts, what religious Notions could be framed by them?

To me it appears, that their Appetites and Passions would have the

first Regard; they are gnawing and troublesome, requiring immediate

Care and Redress; and the Intervals from supplying them; it’s very

natural to suppose, would some of them be employed in ruminating

upon their own Beings, in what manner, and to what end they were

placed here; and on all those other Beings that surround them; the

Consequence of which must be, Amazement and Wonder: And as they

experienced Pain and Sickness, some things would terrify, and some

please, according as they were persuaded they promoted or averted

such ill or Good. Now as the Understandings of Men, supposed as

above, would be mean and low, not able to account for these Effects

from their Causes, the natural Power and Tendency in this, to promote

that: I say, not knowing this way of Induction, they will readily

ascribe something _supernatural_ to any Materials used about them;

they may want the Word, but the Meaning would be confirmed in the

use of _Fetish_.

That this is not barely a Supposition, but an experienc’d Truth,

is evident in the Condition, the Actions, and Manner of these

poor People. They are set down as from the Clouds, without Guide,

Letters, or any means of Cultivation to their better Part, but what

immediately strike their Senses from beholding this Universe, and the

Beings contained in it; their Deductions from whence, as to a Deity

devoid of Matter, is next to impossible, therefore we say mean and

pitiful. They can go no further without Learning, than concluding all

things about them good or evil, to have a God or a Devil in it that

immediately either benefits or hurts them; and thence their Worship.

That these People could arrive to better Knowledge by the use of

proper Means and Instruction, there is no manner of doubt. They give

proof enough that their natural Endowments are capable of following

any Pattern; but as it is, their Actions demonstrate that the Soul

wants a proper Nurture as well as the Body, and will hardly, without

a Miracle, increase its Knowledge to any degree above what at present

it appears; but when the Seeds and Principles are laid by letter’d

Nations, it is not then nigh so difficult to improve. _They want

all_, and their Understanding therefore in spiritual Matters is

poor and naked, like their Bodies, which if they cannot provide of

Necessaries with the Materials about them; how insuperable is the

other, where all is out of sight?

To come to the point, the _Negroes_ have chose _Woods_, _Lakes_,

_Hills_, or a part of these, a _bundle of Chips_, _or Roots_, _a

Stone_, _a piece of Metal_, or the like, for their _Fetishes_.

Now what is more likely, or indeed grateful, than assigning a

supernatural Power, and of course reverential Respects, to those very

things they are immediately conversant with, and experience their

Effects? For the Hill, the Wood or the Lake may afford Sustenance

from time to time; perhaps in Extremity, either may have contributed

to their Preservation or Defence from wild Beasts; or _Panyarring_,

a more dreadful Evil. And others of them (for there are a great

Diversity) have as a Charm, cured a Sickness, been propitious in

their Journeys by Land or Water, in their Hunting, Fishing, or

other Exercises; that is, they have been safe, they have observed,

and protected from Danger, Distress, or Hurt, while they bore

such a _Fetish_ about them, or in the House, or Boat, they lodged

or travelled in; which are the Reasons, and all the Reason they

can give for their Choice. And some have descended from Father to

Son with great Reputation, two, three; or more Generations, until

the Proprietor could not observe any of the usual Effects, or was

improsperous; and thus, whether he imputes it to the Age and Decay of

the _Fetish_, I cannot tell; but he rejects it, and from some lucky

Accident to him takes a newer, and consequently a better: Immemorial

Custom giving strength to the Persuasion and the Practice.

Nor does this appear that unaccountable and ridiculous Folly some

would have it. All material Beings are equally incomprehensible as to

their Seed and real Essence; the Existence of a Straw as mysterious

as the Existence of the Sun: _Quodcunque vides_, _Deus est_. No

Man can comprehend how Matter came first into being, nor, which is

nigher him, how the Atoms that compose a Stick, Stone, or Metal, are

supported and hang together in that Bulk; or what diversifies them,

that one should be fusible, another malleable, some both: I say, to

consider these, and some other Attributes of Matter in the Essence,

it will be impossible to explicate, without putting the Deity to it;

and if infant Reason cannot reach above a material God, what I think

would first and most naturally occur, would be the Objects about us,

as they did us good or hurt, the _Fetishes_ of the _Negroes_. The

original Gods, obvious to the first and darker days of Reason, were

in my opinion, _Stocks_ and _Stones_, _Serpents_, _Calves_, _Onions_,

_Garlick_, &c. Not that these things appeared to them in the exalted

Attributes of Spirit, Creator, Omniscience, _&c._ then inconceivable:

No; they only could observe that all the parts of Nature were

mysterious in their Essence and Operations, and therefore attracted

their Esteem and Worship.

That the wiser Idolaters (as called) set up the Sun to worship,

from the prodigious Advantages of Light and Life to the World, I

take to be a Refinement on this ancienter Heathen Mythology; an

improved Understanding that perceived the Heavenly Bodies, the Sun

in particular, to be the Source of all Benefit and Fertility to

the Earth. That this was so, I am more inclined to think, from the

ignorant and contrary Conclusions still made by many People born in

more enlighten’d Countries, concerning the Influence and general

Benignity of them. It is hard to persuade some of such universal

Good, when they are evidently, they think, Sufferers in the failure

of their Crops, Plagues, and Famine. Too much Rain or Sun-shine

must ever have disturb’d some body, and mixed Murmur with Devotion,

removed only, as Knowledge increased:

_The dripping_ Sailors _curse the Rain,

For which poor_ Farmers _pray in vain._

Again, if we can think they have conceived any Notions of a future

State, as is not improbable; have a natural Affection or Respect;

the Custom was on neither account; preposterous of _John Conny_,

to bury Pipes, Tobacco, Brandy, or what else the deceased loved or

wanted. It answers to the Pomp and Decency of our own Funerals, only

more significant.

From the _Negroes_ Religion, may be drawn these Observations.

_First_, The Foundation of all Men’s Religions is taken from this

visible Universe, as ancient as the Creation. The greater Lights that

have from time to time appeared in the World, are only Refinements

and Superstructures upon this Prop; first Milk, and then Meat.

2. The grossest Idolatries are not a proper Subject of Laughter: It

is a case all Mankind seem bewilder’d in, some more grossly than

others indeed, and bespeaks the Pity of greater Light and Knowledge.

3. The _Negroes_ Ignorance of Good and Evil was equal, before their

Acquaintance with us; and as they are acknowledged to advance with

greater pace in the latter, discerned between the trading and the

country People brought down for Slaves; the question might be ask’d,

Whether ours or their own Religion contributes most to it?

4. The essential Point in all, is to mend Men’s Morals, to make them

good and virtuous to their Neighbours, obedient to Superiours, and

where it fails, the true Politician will account it bad by whatever

Name denominated. The Faiths that cannot produce good Works, are

certainly faulty, and may be spiritualiz’d into Vapour and Shadow, as

well as materializ’d into Dross and Chaff.

_Lastly_, The Fear of the _Fetish_ keeps them from injuring one

another a little, that is, one another in the same Combination;

but has little or no Influence in respect to us; whom they rob,

cheat, or murder, as best answers their Conveniencies. They are

like the Articles of Pyrates, which keep up a sort of Honesty among

themselves, tho’ they despoil every body else. _John Conny_ is very

upright and just himself in all Bargains; but then he does not want

what the others are thieving; it is below his Game: rigorous also in

exacting his Dues, or inflicting Punishments. There was a Murderer a

few Weeks since, (we understood) whom _John_ had condemned, altho’

there were some Circumstances of excuse, (a _se defendendo_, which

_John_ did not understand) and made the Criminal’s own Brother, one

of his trustiest Servants to be the Executioner before his Face,

by tying a vast great Stone like a _Mill-Stone about his Neck and

throwing him into the Sea_ from a Canoo.

He has engrossed by his Riches and Power, the Trade of the Place;

and by that means has reduced the Traders Profits to 20 _per Cent._

a Disadvantage they themselves have contributed to in some measure,

by underselling one another. His People allow less, for in the little

Traffick they had with us, they paid all in _Crackra_ Gold, not a

quarter the value it was taken at. They are all marked with a Cross

in their Cheek, unless _John Conny_ himself (who told me it was only

Ornament) and none are circumcised.

The Women _fetish_ with a coarse Paint of Earth on their Faces,

Shoulders and Breasts, each the Colour they like best. In Marriage

the Husbands spend four Ounces of Gold more or less, according to

their Ability, on her Friends and Acquaintance; who by this are

brought together as Witnesses, that he may have redress in case of

Adultery; a Crime for which the Transgressor becomes the injured

Person’s Slave. A Man likewise forfeits his Liberty for thievery

among themselves; and Trade has so infected them with Covetousness

and Fraud, that the Chiefs will put Snares both for the one and the

other, driving at the Profit, and not the Punishment of a Crime.

[Illustration: (flower)]

[Illustration: (decorative banner)]

_Cabo CORSO._

At this Cape _Corso_ on the Gold Coast, is the principal Fort

and Factory of our _English_ Company, to which their Ships

constantly resort, and receive orders either by themselves, or with

Supercargoes, where else to proceed.

The _Company_ about this time of our Voyage had raised by

Subscription 392400_l._ and in _December_ 1722, made a Call of 5 _per

Cent._ allowing the Proprietors, as had been accustomed, a Dividend

of 3 _per Cent._ In _December_ 1723, they exposed to Sale 200000_l._

Stock at 30 _per Cent._ which shewed their Affairs had an ill Aspect,

notwithstanding their late Flourishes; confirmed next Winter, when

they petitioned the Government (I find in a Pamphlet printed a few

Years since) that they were undone, and the _African_ Trade lost,

unless they were impower’d to scheme it over again: The Projectors

for the Company righteously proposed, that if the Legislature would

give a Sanction, they would engage to raise the Stock-jobbing Humour,

and raise a Million, whereof they would be liberal.

The Factory consists of Merchants, Factors, Writers, Miners,

Artificers and Soldiers; and excepting the first Rank, who are the

Council for managing Affairs, are all of them together a Company of

white Negroes, who are entirely resigned to the Governour’s Commands,

according to the strictest Rules of Discipline and Subjection;

are punished (Garison fashion) on several Defaults, with Mulcts,

Confinement, the Dungeon, Drubbing, or the Wooden Horse; and for

enduring this, they have each of them a Salary sufficient to buy

_Canky_, _Palm-Oil_, and a little Fish to keep them from starving:

for tho’ the Salaries found tolerably in _Leadenhall-Street_ (50

to 90_l._ _per Ann._ a Factor; 50 an Artificer) yet in the Country

here, the General (for the Company’s good) pays them in _Crackra_, a

false Money which is only current upon the spot, and disables them

from taking any advantage of buying Necessaries from Ships coasting

down. If the Subjects should have other, it’s against the Interest of

the Company to suffer its being laid out any where from themselves,

because their Stock would by that means lie dead. So that for the

Support of Nature, or perhaps indulging youthful Follies, these thin

Creatures are obliged to take up of the Company, and in effect by it

sign over their Liberty; none being admitted to depart, ’till he has

adjusted all Accounts. When the Man is too sober to run in Debt,

there are Arts of Mismanagement, or loss of Goods under his Care, to

be charged or wanting. Thus they are all liable to be mulcted for

Drunkenness, Swearing, Neglects, and lying out of the Castle, even

for not going to Church, (such is their Piety:) and thus by various

arbitrary Methods, their Service is secured _durante bene placito_.

The same Method he takes with the Town _Negroes_, who, inconsiderate

Wretches, are continually scoring up for Goods or Drams, and thus

become _Pawns_ to the Company, _i. e._ liable to be sold when the

General thinks fit.

The Director-General is Supreme, or first Person in the Factory, at

2000_l._ _per Ann._ Two other Merchants at 300_l._ and a Secretary

at 200_l._ are what compose the Council for the Company’s Affairs;

send Factors to their outer Forts, and Supercargoes on board Vessels

to collect the Trade, who are to transmit and make up their Accounts

here. The General supports a Table for them; a [22]Chaplain and

Surgeon, who have orderly Meals, without any idle Bottles.

Tho’ the General has but one Vote in Business, yet it’s tacitly

consented, from his better Allowance and Power as Governour, that

he shall lead the others, who sign only for their Salaries: He

therefore disposes solely of Preferments to the Factors and Writers,

who, as they please or displease, may be continued at, or removed to

their advantage. For, as on Service from the Fort they are allowed

a Commission in Trade, additional to their Pay; so, in some of the

outer Forts (such as _Accra_, or in a Ship) they make considerable

Increase; while at others again, _Anamaboo_, or _Dixcove_, they

find a great deal of Trouble, wet Lodging, Scarcity of Provision,

and no Profit; and as these last outnumber the good, I observed

most of our Factors to have dwindled much from the genteel Air they

brought; wear no Cane nor Snuff-box, _idle in Men of Business_, have

lank Bodies, a pale Visage, their Pockets sown up, or of no use,

and their Tongues tied. One Cause of their Slenderness indeed, is a

Scarcity of Provision; little besides Plantain, small Fish, _Indian_

Corn, and a great deal of _Canky_, to be bought at Market.[23] Poor

_T——d_ was a Youth well recommended, and lived as long as he could.

I had once some Business in his Office, when a _Negro_ Woman came

bawling about his Ears for a Plantain he had stole from her: He

would feign have concealed the meaning of her Musick, but at length

I understood it was the only Morsel he had eat for three days past;

one night’s Debauch, and several Mulcts having run him out of Pocket.

The next Occasion I had of enquiring after him, I heard, that being

too narrowly watched in this illegal Traffick, he pined with a

Vacuum of the Guts, and died; leaving this Advice to his Countrymen,

rather to run a remote hazard of being hanged at home, than chuse a

Transfretation hither.

Another Instance how well they live, was the Captain of their

Soldiers, in my time stealing away from the Castle in the night,

to make his Escape on board a Brigantine going off the Coast; but,

unlucky Gentleman, was chased and brought back by the _Weymouth_ next

day: The General, by _Canon Law_, fined the Master of the Vessel, 70

Ounces for this Misdemeanor, besides corporal Punishment.

The General does not feel this Want, for altho’ here be a Scarcity of

neat Cattle, Kid, or Fowl, (no body having any besides himself) he

supplies this Want from other Parts, by their own trading Vessels,

and _Dashees_ from Masters of Ships, and neighbouring Nations; and

for Vegetables, he has a large Garden without the Castle, first

planted by Sir _Dalby Thomas_, a former Governour, abounding not

only with their’s, but Fruits of _English_ Growth, _and entirely for

his own use_. Of _Taggys_, a sweet Nut, they make Emulsions, and boil

to a Custard.

_Cromers_ grow in Pods like Peas, but larger, rounder, and full of

little Seed; this, and _Tantarraboys_, a Fruit red and yellow, that

grows wild, they put into their _black Soupee_, made here in the best

and cleanest manner, washing the Palm-nuts with warm water, to bring

away the Strings.

The General has taken a _Consa_, which by the _Negroes_ is understood

a temporary Wife, because she is not obliged to leave the Country,

which is looked on as Slavery: She is a _Mulatto_ Woman, begot by

a _Dutch_ Soldier at _Des Minas_, by whom he has four Children, of

fair, flaxen Hair and Complexion. Her _Negro_ Friends and Relations

add Interest and Power to him, and he again can back their Injustice

in the _Pawns_ irregularly procured to the Garrison. He dotes on

this Woman, whom he persuades now and then to our Chappel-Service,

and she complies without Devotion, being a strict Adherer to the

_Negrish_ Customs. I attended the Illness of one of her Children; and

afterwards on the General himself, who on both Occasions, I found,

was so weak or so wise, as to give the preference of _Fetishing_ to

any Physical Directions of mine, wearing them on his Wrists and

Neck. He was a Gentleman of good Sense, yet could not help yielding

to the silly Customs created by our Fears, and shews the Sway it

bears in the Choice or Alteration of our Religion.

He cannot persuade this Woman to leave the Country, tho’ he has

stole or forced her Consent for all the Children, in regard to their

Education; she still conforming to the Dress of her Country, being

always barefoot and _fetished_ with Chains and Gobbets of Gold, at

her Ancles, her Wrists, and her Hair; to alter which in _England_,

she thinks would sit awkard, and together with her Ignorance how to

comport her self with new and strange Conversation, would in all

likelihood alienate her Husband’s Affections.

The General, besides being a kind Husband and Father, is a good

Servant to the Company; assiduous and diligent, maintaining his

Authority against the _Dutch_ at _Des Minas_: Mr. _Butler_, the

_Dutch_ Director-General there, and he, having frequent Controversies

and Demands upon one another; sometimes on account of pretended

ill-usage to the Relations of his _Consa_, oftner upon Trade. Yet

the Dignity he is to preserve in this petty Sovereignty, and the

accustomed fawning Submission of the _Negroes_ to it, has made his

Carriage haughty towards all under him. He resides for ever within

his Battlements; his Subjects and he resembling the Giant and

enchanted Castle. He is seen no oftner than is necessary; and when he

vouchsafes an Invitation to his Table, you must keep a good Look-out,

or lose your Dinner; he never descending so much from _State_ as to

ask after you, tho’ he knows there is no Victuals any where else. A

Project indeed is lately set on foot, for the _Company’s_ importing

_Irish_ Beef and Pork, to be issued at 19 and 12_lib._ an _Accy_,

wished for by those who love their Meat without Sauce. I was six

Weeks attending the Trials of the Pyrates at this Castle, and treated

very civilly.

The Factory have every now and then a large Demand for Salt, made

and brought hither from _Accra_. The Sale appears like a Fair in

the Castle, and many of those _Negroes_ whose Ivory or Gold would

not purchase half a Bushel, I was told had travelled some hundred

Miles; they chusing to go in Bodies when Seed-time is over, as a

better Protection from wild Beasts, and their wilder Countrymen, who

frequently make Incursions from several parts of the Coast, and sieze

them for Slaves, when few and defenceless.

The Castle is a large Quadrangle, built by the _Portuguese_; for

tho’ the _French_ first discovered this Part, their Civil Wars

hindred Settlements first made by them; who erected Forts, from whom

the _Dutch_ seized their’s, and we from them again. Vice-Admiral

_Holmes_ in 1664, after reducing _New-York_ and _Long Island_

from the _Dutch_, coming here by order of the Duke of _York_, then

Lord-Admiral, and dispossessing them of most Places; it certainly

being as reasonable on our side as it was on their’s; or more,

because they would have excluded all others from the Trade, making

Prize of our Ships, and imprisoning the Men. Admiral _Ruyter_

seized them from us again the next Year, without Declaration of

War, which engaged us to a Reprizal on their _Bourdeaux_ Fleet.

These Transactions, and the pressing Instances of the Parliament,

who voted, the King should be addressed to redress the Wrongs and

Injuries of the _Dutch_ on our Trade in _Africa_ and _India_ to a

vast Value, occasioned a War, which concluded with our Right of

Privilege.

The Height of the Walls is the Strength of this Fort; sufficient

against any _Negro_ Power, as they lately experienced in an Attack

the _Fantins_ made upon the Castle’s Dependants, who found their

Security under the Walls; for here are some potent Neighbours, such

as the Emperor of _Fantin_, the Kings of _Santie_, _Akim_, and

_Aquemboe_, between whom and the Company’s _Negroes_, happen frequent

Occasions of Quarrel, from unwarrantable Practices in Trade. The

common way to evade the Stroke, or push it in the Company’s favour,

is giving a _Dashee_ of 5 or 600_lib._ in Goods to one of them, to

fall on the Adversary; a Trick used alternately by the _Dutch_, and

us also, to counterplot one another’s Interests.

In the Area of this Quadrangle, are large Vaults, with an iron Grate

at the Surface to let in Light and Air on those poor Wretches, the

Slaves, who are chained and confined there till a Demand comes. They

are all marked with a burning Iron upon the right Breast, _D. Y._

Duke of _York_.

_Tanks_ (Reservatories of Water) are in the Castle, vaulted and

terrassed, capable of holding 100 Tuns or more: The Pavement leans

from all parts towards them, to drain off the Rain; Water being

scarce in dry [24]Seasons, and great quantities wanted. There is only

one, nasty, muddy Pond, of ill Taste, in the Neighbourhood, from

whence Ships are supplied, swum off to the Boats with a great deal of

trouble by the _Negroes_.

Within the Castle is a Smith’s Shop, a Cooperage, Store-houses, a

Chappel, and Houses for the Officers and Servants. The General’s

Lodging communicates with the Chappel, a capacious Hall, which serves

to preach and dine in, pray or drink, serve God or debate on Trade;

hence they can over-look what the Company’s Servants are doing, and

how comply with their respective Duties. A Bastion runs out from it

that has a very pleasant Prospect to the Sea, discerning with a Glass

the Ships coming down the Coast, and very distinctly all those in the

Road at _Des Minas_.

Having done with the Factory and Castle at present, I come now to the

Natives, who from a long Acquaintance with _Europeans_, are much the

best _Negroes_ of the whole Continent.

Their Houses are built of Mud, kept clean, many of them with Chairs

or Stools, good Matts to lie down upon, earthen Pots and Pans, and

several Changes of _Tomees_ (Arse-Clouts.) They give Names to their

Children, mostly by the days of the Week born on, _Quashee_, _Yeday_,

_Cuujo_, that is, _Sunday_, _Monday_, _Tuesday_, &c. and at Manhood,

change it to something expressive of their Disposition; _Aquerro

Occu_, _Yocatee_, [25]_Tittwee_, like a _Parrot_, _Lion_, _Wolf_,

&c. The same they do by white Men, imposing a Name of their own

chusing.

Their Town is a little without the Castle-Gate, where the Women

keep a Market with their _Canky_, Papais, Soap and Fish, such as

Cavalloes, Bream, Cat-fish, _&c._ all small, but in tolerable plenty;

there being out in the Road fishing, from 40 and 50, to 100 Canoos,

when fine Weather.

These Market-Women have Scales, and weigh every _Toccu_ of Gold-dust.

A dozen Sticks of Wax, a couple Pounds of Loaf-Sugar, or two or three

pieces of salt Beef, will be worth an _Accy_; our Crown an _Accy_ and

a half.

Such as are imployed with the _Smith_, or the _Cooper_, make

presently good Workmen, and the _Negro_ Goldsmith, with very little

Instruction, has arrived to a good Skill in making Spoons, Buckles,

Buttons, heading Canes, or tipping the Deers Feet.

Captain _Tom_, an honest fellow among them (our Gold-taker) who,

understanding a little _English_ by being imployed in our Service,

was a great Acquaintance of mine, and would, in the best manner he

was able, always satisfy my Curiosity about the _Fetish_: He believes

it able to protect from Dangers, or recover from Sickness; so that,

in Travail, or any Ailment, they never are without the _Fetish_ about

them, whom they constantly _Dashee_ for Health and Safety. _Tom_

wore his about the Leg, and at Sea, as constantly as he had a Dram,

a Glass of Wine, or any Victuals, he dipped his Finger and gave the

_Fetish_ a Taste. It’s the general Belief that it both speaks and

sees; wherefore on any Action that ought not to be done, the _Fetish_

is hid within their _Tomee_, or wrapped in a Rag to prevent Tales.

This Persuasion obtains by the Cunning of the _Fetish_-Man (or

Priest) who is consulted with a Present always (a Bottle of Rum, a

Goat, a Fowl, a Papa, according to the Importance of the Business,

and Ability of the Person) on any Sickness, Business or Undertaking;

and his Answers sway them to the Pursuance or Omission: If he says

the thing shall succeed so and so, it commonly does, their natural

Sagacity measuring out Consequences; and in Medicines or Charms,

Experience pronounces tolerably on the Operation. The last Refuge

of the _Fetish_-Man is, to charge the Person with some Crime that

diverted the good Influence of the _Fetish_; and so fond are they

of these Tutelar Deities, and credulous of the Intercourse between

them and the _Fetish_-Man, that they are glad to accuse one another

of Faults that made them unlucky; and if no Friend was Witness, do

it themselves, to prevent the Displeasure might fall on them by any

Contempt.

Every Man has two, three, or more _Fetishes_ to his fancy; one worn

about him, or in his Canoo; the rest at home, bequeathing them, as

they prove serviceable, from Father to Son. There is also at _Cabo

Corso_, a publick _Fetish_, the Guardian of them all; and that is

the Rock _Tabra_, a bluff peninsular Prominence that juts out from

the Bottom of the Clift the Castle stands on, making a sort of Cover

for Landing, but so unsafe, as frequently to expose the Boats and

People to Danger, the Sea breaking over with great force. This was

most remarkably felt by them about forty or fifty years ago, when all

their Fishing Canoos, from some want of Devoir, were by a Southerly

Wind split against Rock _Tabra_, and the Misfortune happening on a

_Tuesday_, has ever since been set apart for Idleness, Dancing, and

Diversion.

To this Rock, the _Fetish_-Man sacrifices annually a Goat and some

Rum, eating and drinking a little himself, and throwing the rest into

the Sea with odd Gestures and Invocations, he tells the Company,

and they believe that he receives a verbal Answer from _Tabra_,

what Seasons and Times will be propitious; and for this Knowledge

every Fisherman finds it worth his while to _Dashee_ him with some

Acknowledgment.

They not only seem to think there is an Intelligence in those

material Things that are of immediate Good or Hurt to them, but also

the _Fetish_-Men to have Conversation, and by it to be acquainted

with their most private Affairs at any distance, which preserves Awe

and Regard.

_Peter Anchicove_, another Gold-taker of Cape _Corso_, assured me

that being once at _Succonda_, a _Fetish_-Man met him, and demanded

three _Accys_, which was given immediately on threatning: (the Gift

on ordinary Occasions is less; a piece of Perpet, a Cap, a Fowl,

or from a Market-Woman a Loaf of _Canky_.) And then he bid _Peter_

leave the Voyage he was upon, and return home, for his Wife had in

this Absence kept a scandalous Correspondence with several Men.

Accordingly when he came home, he found it as the _Fetish_-Man had

said, and a _Palaaver_ being called, _Peter_ recovered two Ounces

of Gold Damage (the Punishment of Adultery) against one of the

Offenders; an Ounce and a half of it to himself, the other half Ounce

to the Court. The Penalty goes no farther, if the Woman be Daughter

to a Freeman; for if the Cuckold is not contented, the Father takes

her home on the acknowledgment of a Goat, or the like small Present,

because it is his Loss: But if a purchased Slave is false, she is

sold. When Proof is wanting, but the Suspicion strong, he brings an

edible _Fetish_, which if she refuse to eat, she is adjudged guilty,

and the dread of its poisonous Quality, makes them often confess, to

their Accusers Satisfaction; the certain Punishment being preferable

to the doubtful Lethality of the _Fetish_.

The Men likewise, in this or notorious Crimes, go thro’ such a Tryal,

or compound rather by a Mulct, which better answers the Aim, and

shews he is not stubborn and refractory[26].

At _Accra_ they have _Fetish_-Women also, so by Descent, who

pretend Divination, give Answers to all Questions, and, like our

Fortune-tellers, are continually bubbling the weaker.

_Fetishes_ are sold, from an experienced Goodness in them, from two

_Accys_ to two _Bendees_ a-piece, or as they are warranted to protect

from this or that sort of Evil, or better than another can do it.

They use Circumcision, Prayers, and Washings, and seem to have an

obscure Notion of Futurity; for when I used to charge my acquaintance

with any thing of Dishonesty, they would reply, That after Death the

honest goodee Man go to Godee, livee very well, have a goodee Wife,

goodee Victuals, _&c._ but if a _Rogue_ and _Cheatee_, he must be

tossed here and there, never still. To this agrees the vulgar Notion

of some, returning after Death to their own Country.

At a Death, the Relations and Neighbours keep a noise and howling

till the day of Interrment, always at their own Houses, where the

Corpse being put in a Trunk, and carried a small Circuit on Men’s

Heads, the Town’s-Folks attend with wild Noise and firing of Guns,

till finding the Deceased does not wake, they drink and make merry,

and bury with the Corpse a Portion of Liquor, Pipes, _&c._ This done,

a little Victuals is supplied by the Relations every day to the

Grave, for a considerable time.

The superiour Genius of these Gold-Coast _Negroes_, is owing much

to the Settlement of _European_ Factories among them: Their greater

Honesty toward us, first from Forts that awe them; secondly,

from their unwarrantable Practices with their Neighbours, who by

_Panyarrs_ and cheating for our good, are become perpetual Enemies,

and fixed them by Interest and Necessity ours; where the greater part

of them find they can live better by Honesty than by being Thieves,

they are under less Fear, and could not conceal any attempts of Fraud

long. Honesty in all trading places is bottom’d upon this in the

lower, and upon Interest in the higher Ranks of Men; if the former

can provide themselves as well, or better, that is, with quieter

Sleeps and less Anguish by being honest than Robbers; it is egregious

Folly, abating the Crime, to forsake it: and when prosperous Events

give Increase to Riches, it is Interest to allure others, a general

Security lying in it. And they may, by the Influence of Example, and

an open Behaviour, make particular Men so, that were not first in

the Design. Few, I surmise, under the same Circumstances with the

Wretches that at last go to the Gallows, but would have been there

too, if Fortune had reversed their Scituation; those that can rob

under no Necessity, we may be sure would.