Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1816-11-30

saw, with feelings of honest Indignation.
While he was there, large body of CHRIS
tian slaves were brought from the port Of
Bona: q he learnt, from the concurrent
testimony of all the Consuls, the history
ofthose wretched sufferers. They were
the survivors of 357 captured by two
Algerine corsairs, carrying English CO.
Tors foi the purpose of decoying victims
within their reach. They had been dri-
ven like herd of cattle, ii Journey of ma
ny days, and iifty-ninc had died of mise
ry during that time. One unhappy
youth fell dead at the Dey's feet, while
they were undergoing the usual ceremo-
ny of presentation. In the first six DAYS
persisted miserabiy. is a mortality
greatly exceeding that of the middle pas
sage, and seasoning, in the worst periods
OF the African slave trade-Mr. Croker
saw the wretched survivors driven out
III the morning, promiscuously with the
mules, To the public quarries, where they
were worked together. lie inquired tie
history of many of them, and was told
that they had been captured while under
the protection OF English passports, and
employed in purchasing grain for our ar
mics. Ansthcr instance is added of the
same kind.
"When the Island of Ponza was added
TO the conquests of his Majesty's arms,
the great addition of the English garri-
son, and our squadron, oocasioned con
siderable anxiety for the means of MAIN
tenance TO the inhabitants, themselves,
as we'll as OF the necessary refreshments
and supplies for their new masters and
benctactors, as they called us. 1t was
also consideration of such moment TO
the commanding officer OF our forces that
he encouraged the spirit of commerce,
which had already shown itself III the ma
tives, by requesting English passports to
different places for grain, for the use of
the Island. These passports were not
only willingly. granted, but an intended
support was also given them, namely,
permission TO wear the British flag.
Some of these poor unfortunate men,
returning from one of their little enter
prises, were, within sight of their own
Island, boarded by six boats belonging
to two Algerine pirates; the colors, which
they vainly looked to for protection,
were, by these assailants, torn in pieces
and cast into the sea, and the unhappy
crew were dragged into slavery. Such
was the fate ofpoor VaIenzo Avelino, and
his unoifendIng crew OF Ii or ~ men,
who surely were as much entitled to
which wore the English colors
" You will Judge what an English Off
GERS feelings. must have been, when sur
rounded by these miserable men, who
with tears inquired, II ENGLAND k,aetc
their fate? or if they were 10 expect
any mercy from our all powerful natl
on!
&c | Own, ] cannot but wish that some
OF those English gentlemen, who travel in
search of pleasure iii the Mediterranean,
would pay Algiers visit, even for one
week. am sure they could not fail TO
feel, like me, the degradation to which
the christian name is exposed, and to en-
deayor, on their return home, to exert
their abilities and influence in a cause,
which no one doubts TO be meritorious:
but which actual inspection would make
every man feel be solemn, religious,
and moral duty
g should add, that OH the arrival of
these new slaves, our Consul sent his in
terpreter to the bani and hospital, to find
out if any of them had claims on the En-
glish Protection.-Th infideIs would not
permit him to enter either place. All
have told YOU and ten times more, will be
confirmed by your taking the trouble to
inquire into it; and there are two gentle
men who will attend IN person if it lie ne
cessary."-P 80.
ITO he continued.