Chapter XII (2)

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_.

_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.

_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.

_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_.

_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.

_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.