ON SLAVERY AND THE WORK OF H.M. CRUISERS

ON THE WEST COAST OF AFRICA.

It may be interesting to those unacquainted with slave shipment to learn something of the method employed when a shipping of slaves was about to take place. This account is taken from an old paper, the St. Helena Gazette of 1848, when slavers were continually being captured and brought to St. Helena to be freed. It says:

The slaves are taken out as if for their usual airing, perhaps ten or twenty on one chain, which is fastened to the neck of each individual at the distance of about one yard apart. In this manner they are marched in single file to the beach without any intimation of their fate, about which they seem quite indifferent, even when they know it. Every canoe is then put in requisition and the little piece of cotton cloth tied round the loins of the slave is stripped off and the gang on each chain is in succession marched close to a fire previously kindled on the beach. Here marking irons are heated, and when an iron is sufficiently hot, it is quickly dipped in palm-oil in order to prevent its sticking to the flesh and then applied to the ribs or hip, and sometimes even to the breast. Each slave-dealer uses his own mark, so that when the vessel arrives at her destination, it is easily ascertained to whom those who died belonged.

The slaves are then hurried into a small canoe and compelled to sit in the bottom, where they are stowed as closely as possible till the canoe reaches the ship. They are then put on board and again chained until they reach their destination, where they are given over to intended masters or their agents. Their food is generally farina and palm-oil.

Farina is made from the manioc or cassava root, the root being ground in the same manner as potatoes for starch, then dried in the sun and again partially ground till about the same substance as oatmeal. This farina constitutes the principal food of the slaves both during the time they are waiting to be shipped and also on the passage. (Ibid. p. 192.)

The palm oil imported into England is not the same as that used by the natives. The oil sent to England is merely the outside of the nut, similar to the outside of a plum, or any other stone fruit. The oil exported is extracted from the pulp, but the palmoil used by these people in cooking is extracted from the kernel taken out of the stone of the palm-nut, and is equal to our best salad oil.

In 1839 a Court termed "The Supreme Court" was established in St. Helena, by order of her Majesty in Coun

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cil; and in 1840 the "Vice-Admiralty Court" was established for the trial of vessels engaged as slavers, this with the working of the Liberated African Depôt, and the frequent visits of the several boats of the Naval Squadron engaged in the suppression of the slave-trade, brought into circulation a considerable amount of money, and furnished employment for the islanders, though unfortunately of a kind to cause them to neglect the diligent cultivation of their fertile soil, which would have been ultimately of greater benefit to them. The total extinction of the slavetrade after the American war led to the reduction of the West Indian Squadron and the abolition of the Liberated African Establishment, causing hard times to fall on the little island.

It was in the year 1840 that the slaves cap.ured by H.M. Cruisers were first brought to St. Helena. Depôts were formed at Rupert's Valley, Lemon Valley, and High Knoll, at which places the poor wretches were domiciled, until they gradually gained health and strength. When well and fit to travel, they were conveyed to the West Indies, where they engaged to work for various employers, as labour was there greatly in demand. The merchants and farmers in St. Helena, when requiring servants, went to the depôts and made their choice, engaging to clothe and feed those chosen. A number of these slaves became so fond of their St. Helena masters and mistresses, that they elected to remain on the island instead of seeking their fortunes elsewhere. In many cases they took the names of their masOne of the first slaves to arrive was baptized "Eve,” her son being named "Adam." These freed African slaves must not be confounded with the 614 native-born slaves who were freed in 1831.

That the authorities looked after them we find from the Gazette, which says:

The Government of St. Helena has engaged the services of Mr. Fry, of the Lutheran Church, to instruct the liberated Africans lately captured by H.M. cruisers and brought to the island, as well as those who may hereafter arrive.

Mellis in his book states that he himself went on board one of these ships as she cast anchor in Rupert's Bay even as late as 1861, and the whole deck as

I picked my way from end to end in order to avoid treading upon them, was thickly strewn with the dead, dying and starved bodies. A visit to a full freighted slave-ship is not easily to be forgotten; a scene so intensified in all that is horrible almost defies description.

The vessel of which he writes was one of one hundred tons burden, and contained a little short of one thousand souls, who had been closely packed for weeks together in the hottest and most polluted of atmospheres. The arms and legs of the poor creatures were worn down to about the size of walking-sticks and as they were passed over the ship's side, some living, some dead, others dying, it was hard to believe they really were human beings. Many died as they were in the act of being passed over the side of the ship. This Liberated African Depôt gave much employment to the people, and caused an immense influx of trade in the island, for they were brought by H.M. cruisers; and to stamp out this horrible traffic in human flesh a large squadron was placed in these waters. The following extract shows the number of Africans captured by H.M. Cruisers and brought to St. Helena between June 9, 1840, and September 30, 1847, and the manner of their disposal :—

In 1848 the establishment kept up for them was as follows :—

Clerk.
Surgeon

Dispenser of medicines

Superintendent of station and store

keeper

Mr. T. B. Knipe.
C. H. Rawlins.
Mr. H. McDaniel.

Mr. John Harris.

On one occasion of a slaver being brought in (she was about 100 tons), Bishop Gray, of Cape Town, was staying at Plantation. On hearing of her arrival he sent to ask that the slaves should not be removed until he could see them. The poor famished creatures were brought up from below and there they waited for two long hours before the Bishop was able to come down. He wished to give them water from his own hands, but it is said he was so overcome by the sight which awaited him that he fainted. On landing they usually recovered rapidly from the effects of their ill treatment and confinement between decks.

The Styx was noted for her conquests. I am told by an old resident that she made thirty-two captures. The Conquest, too, brought sixteen here, and the Waterwitch was most active. A monument is erected in the Government Garden to the memory of all those brave fellows who lost their lives while engaged in this work of rescue. The Waterwitch brought the first consignment of liberated slaves.

The Cyclops is spoken of by one of the old men still living, and there are five I was able to photograph who came in her-two men and three old women, who are now in the poorhouse. The men, although over seventy, are still able to earn a little, but the women are helpless, and almost blind, being all of good age.

The taller man is named Duke Wellington, the other Blinker. Wellington says they were brought here in the Cyclops, and that soon after they arrived some officers came to Rupert's to choose servants, and, as he relates, Captain George Woolet (?), St. Helena Regiment, took him, Major Piggott chose Blinker, and Colonel Ross, officer, chose Caesar. They lived in tents, and had as rations— biscuit, rice, salt meat, and fish, i.e. at Rupert's; but when living in the mess-house they had food like soldiers.

During the past two years many have died-Old Cappy, who earned a living to the last by fetching watercress down for the shipping; Jack Fry Pumpkin, or John Janische (his master's name); Toby Morrison-here again the master's name were for many years well known to all the

shipping fraternity. Thinking the accounts would interest the descendants of those who so gallantly gave their lives to stamp out the curse of slavery, I have made extracts from Government papers between the dates 1845 to 1850. For many years-in fact more than ten years-the slavers were continually arriving and discharging their human freight, and the whole account would be voluminous. Sufficient, however, is given to show what kind of work was done at that time by our "Handy Men " for their country. The first Africans sometimes gave trouble, for we find that £2 reward was given for the whereabouts of one, as

under :

Whereas an African negro has absconded from the Establishment at Rupert's, and is supposed to be secreted in the neighbourhood of Peak Hill; the above Reward will be paid by me to any person or persons who shall apprehend and deliver the said African to the Police Sergeant in Jamestown.

The African above alluded to has already been committing depredations, and the Public are hereby cautioned in the event of his being found trespassing.

CUSTOM HOUSE, ST. HELENA,

11th Jan., 1849.

JOHN YOUNG, Collector.

But the majority were very grateful and well-behaved, as will be seen from the following address to His Excellency Sir Patrick Ross, Governor, received from the Liberated Africans located in this colony.

To His Excellency Major-General Sir Patrick Ross, G.C.M.G. and Governor, etc., etc., etc.

May it please your Excellency,—

We, the Liberated Africans residing at Saint Helena, do beg to return our most hearty and sincere thanks for the care that has been taken of us since our arrival in the British Dominions, and we have become the subjects of our beloved Queen, Victoria, We likewise return our Defender of the Faith, etc., etc., etc. most hearty thanks and praises to God for His merciful guidance in bringing us into the hands of Christian people from whom we have been taught to love and serve God, and who have been instrumental in bringing us to return those thanks which we cannot find words to express for our feelings towards our most Gracious Queen; and it is the prayer of us all that she may obtain a Crown in Heaven when this life terminates. We were poor, forlorn, friendless and ignorant beings, and did not know there was a God, from whom we derived our being. We cannot return the thanks we wish, but if we were called upon to defend the rights and posses