| Citation |
NHG-P.767.081
18 Dec 1767:11,12,13,21,22 (585)
Philadelphia, Nov. 11, 1767. [26 lines about a shipwreck and
the rescue of the writer by some islanders, who took him to
their home]
They passed the day in great mirth and good humour, but with
the utmost decency and decorum; in short, they seemed to be
some of the happiest creature on earth; and what was
extremely remarkable, I did not disover any of their liquors
to incline the least to intoxication; I heartily wished for
an interpreter, as there seemed much wit bandied about
amongst them. At sun-set a grave old Negro stood up, with a
white wand in his hand, and waving it in their air, a
general silence ensued, the four young folks fell down on
their knees, in a circle, taking hold of each others hands,
whilst the old fellow pronounced a long oration, making
sundry pauses, at each of which the couples cried out, Fanda
Conboo, which I interpreted as an assent to what he said.
The ceremony being over, the company joined in a circular
dance, with the married pairs in the middle.
I sat at some distance, with the old man, who viewed his
girls with that extasy of delight which possesses the heart
of every fond parent, on the prospect of their children's
happiness; his old eyes sparkled with joy, and, pointing to
the heavens, made me understand he could now yield up his
life with pleasure. But mark the uncertainty of human
happiness! The dancers were proceeding with the young
pairs, to the cabbin, when in an instant, they were
surrounded by a number of armed Negroes, who bound the whole
company, me among the rest, and hurried us with great
expedition into the woods; they marched us all night, and
next morning, by sun-rise, we reached an English fort, where
we found the Captain of a Guineaman waiting our arrival;
they unbound me immediately, and after asking a few
questions, the Capt. who was in a hurry to sail, having
nearly completed his cargo, struck up a bargain, with the
rascally plunderers, for the poor wretches my companion,
except the poor old man who he refused to take; in vain did
he beg to share the fortunes of his children and friends,
the Captain kicked him away, and ordered the rest on board.
Finding the ship was bound for Barbados and being desirous
of returning home, I took my passage with him, and having
saved a few pistoles, I purchased the old Negro, at his own
request, and put him on board, on freight, intending, on my
arrival at Barbados, to pay the price of the young couples,
and set them at liberty. The next day we sailed, with three
hundred slaves on board, who were all confined below, my old
fellow among the rest, for the Captain would not suffer a
soul on deck, for several days, designing, as he said, to
lower their spirits by a good sweating. A week passed very
quietly, when the Captain ordered the mate to go down and
bring up twenty, saying, He would make the devils dance for
their health; but no sooner was the hatch unbarred than a
number of them, who had got off their irons, rushed upon the
deck, and attacked the crew, but the sailors being armed
with pistols and cutlasses, presently overcame them; but not
before thirteen of the poor wretches had plunged into the
sea, amongst whom were my old man & his two daughters, the
two young fellows, their unhappy husbands, were shot dead on
the deck, with five others. Horrid as this scene was, the
Captain felt no other concern than what arose from the loss
of so many freight; . . [34 lines; including a denouncement
of slavery]
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