Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1824-04-27

"
Africa, as we'll as the sufferings which
thy undergo during their passage To
America: and IL will be well for us to
remember that although the traffic is
prohibited by The laws of Congress, yet
the increased demand Tor slaves, occa-
stoned by opening the vast and fertile
territories OF The West for their recep-
ton, has SO enhanced their value, as to
render il business OF great profit to
smugglc them into our country, and we
are assured tina, number have actually
been thus inlrodu e.. There is there
fore every reason 10 believe that in pro-
portion as the number of states where
slavery is tolerated, increases, and the
relative value oil human flesh is EN-
HANGED, the slave trade will not only be
prosecuted with greater activity, but its
deles ed cargoes will be 9roghl in great
e. numbers, TO pollule the shores of
America.
A considerable part of the slaves
which arc soid To the Europeans are pri-
soners of war THESE wars are not The
consequence of a disposition naturally
quarrelsome, bu are the immediate off
spring of cupidlly, sharpened up and
reused to action by the arrival OF slave
ship. Others Of these wretched beings
are the innocent victims OF Corrup
system of Jurisprudence, which owes its
existence 10 the same fruitful source OF
human misery TINS unjust system
places the poor natives wholly at the
mercy Of the petty despe,s who rule the
country. He who has enriched himself
by his industry, or who has numerous
family of fine children, the sale of which
would produce handsome sum, seldom
escapes the notice of his chieitain.--
Grimes are invented and promoted, and
accusations multiplied, solely with The
hope OF procuring condemnations, the
punishment annexed TO which is, s. Sale
To the Slave Merohan Many, are the
victims of avowed rapine and plunder-
peacefully pursuing their agricultural or
mechanical occupations, they are seized
be ruifians who had concealed them
selves in ambush, are gagged, bound,
and borne away to The slave snip. A
these are the effects oil the strong temp
talions held out by white men VITO visl
their shores, TO procure cafgoes OF slaves;
for the ma ives, when unprOvoked by
their ar,lti es, evlnce mild and paclh
dispositions; but no sooner does ship
drop anchor, than avarlce, haired, re-
vengc, and all the maievoienl passions
which agiia,e the human breast, seem at
once reused into action.
Upon the authority OF Mungo Parke, an
eye witness of the facts, and whose in
teres,ing travels in Africa are before the
public, we state lhe following lacts -
Those who are captured or stolen IN the
vicinity OF The sea coast, suffer CON para
lively but lutte from the fatigue oil ira
yelling; but such as are brought from
the interior OF he coutry, endure the
mos, grievous sutierlnes during a Jour
ney Of severai moons, over rugged rocks,
and burning sands, and through inhospi-
table and dangerous deserts. They are
secured by locking The right leg of one
to the left leg OF another in the same par
OF letters, which they mus support by a
string in order to enable them to walk
without the greatest torture. Every four
slaves are tied together by rope OF
strong twisted thongs, passed round their
necks, and at night an additional pair OF
letters is put upon their hands. The
scorching heat OF the sun and sand, the
weight of their irons, added to the bur-
dens which they are compelled to carry,
weary and Cypress them to so DIRE adult
4,
and frequently fainting; but regardless
OF their suferngs, they are goaded and
spurred along by the cruel application
OF the decorating lash, till many actually
expire under their complicated miserles.
In an investigation INTO the character
and effects of The slave trade, which took
pace before committee of The British
Parliament, numerous Witnesses who
were examined under the solemn obllga-
tons of an oath or affirmation, agree in
stating that when on board The vessels,
the slaves appear melancholy and de-
lected, that many continue so during the
whole of the voyage, and that their de-
lection evidently arises from the anguish
OF their feelings on being separated for
ever from their country, their homes,
beloved families and friends. From The
same respectable and authentic source
we draw the following Information !: The
men are chained together in pairs-the
right leg OF one is fe'tercd to the left leg
OF another, in which situation they are
slowed into the hold OF the vessel-the
women and children, however, are moi
chained and ironed like the men When