| Citation |
NYJ-N.767.211
3 Dec 1767:1123 (1300)
[A tale of shipwreck, and landing on unknown land inhabited
by Negroes.] At sun-set a grave old Negro stood up, with a
white wand in his hand, and waving it in the 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
Canboo, which I interpretted 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. [7 more lines]
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; .
. . [boarding a ship with 300 slaves, sailing for a week] .
. . the Captain ordered the mate to go down and bring up
twenty, saying " He would make the devils dance for their
healths," [continues with descriptions of barbarous
treatment, rebellion by slaves, and death of many of them,
flung overboard, ending with "this reflection"]
The wretch, who dares man's sacred right infringe,
And make him slave, would not, from honesty
Refrain my purse, or virture spare my life,
If int'rest, hellish int'rest, gave the word.
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