The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1828-05-14
From the african Repository.
TIE UNFORTUNATE MOOR

IL
a rentleman in NatcheZ has communicated
fine f5llow;pU account of an individual who is
now offered as an emigrant to the colony of Ii
IBERIA.
NArcHEz, (MIss.) Dec. 13, 1927.
Dear ir:-l address you in behalf OF an I'M
fortunate man, native OF Africa, who has
been held in slavery, in this state, for thirty
nine years. A letter has been addressed to the
Department of State, concerning this person,
under the hope that the general government
might consider him a fit subject for their inter-
position. As yet, however, believe nothing
has been done Believing he might be OF meal
cnlabte Importance to the colony of Liberia,
have no hesitation in offering you the suggest
ions of my own mind.
The person to whom | allude we tamliariy
call Prince His real name is Abdul Rahha-
man. He was born in 1862, at Tombuctoo,
where his uncle Abu- Abrahim, was at that
time. kinq. The father of the Prince was sent
ont as Governor to Footah Jallo, which was at
that time a colony of, or in some manner trl6u-
tary to, Tombuctoo. This country afterwards
became independent of the mother country,
and Altman Abraliim was made klng-frince'
after completing his education, entered the
armv. He yerV soon rose to distinction, and
at the age of twenty-six, was appointed TO the
command of an army of about 2OO0 men, to be
ag,nhe ff6rR 81 5bbtaaH sa8bs iri3s 81 negroes
their country, and succeeded IN putting them to
flight and laid waste thor towns. Believing his
object accomplished he commenced his retreat.
Tho Hebohs, however, rallied, and by circuit
Gus route and rapid marches, ambushed them
selves in a narrow defile OF the mountain
through which Prince was to pass He fell IN
TO the snare, and with almost his entire army,
were made prisoners and sold to the Mandin-
goes, and by them put on board slave ship
then upon the coast.
Prince has been the property of Col. James
F. of this place during his whole captivity Col.
F. states he has never known him intoxicated,
Che makes no use of ardent spirits)-never de-
tected him in dishonesty or falsehood-nor has
he known him guilty of bad action-he has
submitted to his fate without murmur, and
has been an Industrious and faithful servant.
The story of this mans life is eventfui and
interesting. Did my conviction OF the truth
depend exclusively on my confidence IN the IL
deity of bis narrative, | could scarcely enter
tain shadow of doubt. Fortunately, however,
the most incredulous may be satisfied.
DIR. c., highly tinguished physician OF
this place, now deceased, knew Prince intimate
ly at Teemboo, in Footah Jallo. He was taken
by Prince to his own house, where during long
and painful illness of the disease peculiar to
that climate, he was treated with kindness and
humanity. They were recognized by each other
in this country, and Prince now relates their
first meeting here deeply affecting Exer-
lions were made on the part of Dr. G. to eman-
cipate him, and enable him to return to his ma
tive country From causes altogether inexpli-
cable to me, it was never effected. That Prince
is Moor there can be but little doubt. He is
six feet in height-and though sixty-hve years
ofage, he has the vigor of the me ridian of life.
When he arrived in this country, his hair hung
in flowing ringets far below his shoulders
Much against his will, his master compelled him
to submit to the shears, and this ornament,
irh fl,a in n
country only with his life, since that time he
has entirely neglected. 1t has become coarse
and in some degree curly. His skin, also, By
long service in the sun, and the privations OF
bondage has been materially changed; and his
rriarl is1di"ni ruth 5Gt1s EPthar
ly, with an air ofprde, that not drop of negro
blood runs in his veins. He places the negro
in a scale of being infinitely below the Moor
His preiudces, however, have been so far over
come as to allow him to marry, and he has now
a numerous offspring.
At my own request, Prince often visits me.
He is extremely modest, polteand intelligent
have frequently examined him on the geography
of his own and contiguous countries-their po-
ltical condition, forms of government, manners
and customs, religion, &c. His knowledge is
accurate to the mlnutest degree, so far as
have compared it with the best authorities. He
possesses a large stock of valuable information
of the countries south of the Great Desert,
north ofthat, he has never travelled.
Prince was educated and perhaps is still nom
inally, at least, Mahomedan. have conversed
with him much on the subject, and find him
friendly disposed towards the Christian religion.
He is extremely anxious for an Arabic Tesla
ment. He has heard it read in English, and
admires its precepts His principal objections
are, that Christians do not follow them. His
reasoning upon this subject is pertinent, and, to
our shame, is almost unanswerable | can only
remind him of the fallibty of man, from his
ewn position, endeavor to show him the neces-
sity of the great Atonement and the mercy of
God through Christ to erring man.
The father of Prince died soon after the cap
ture Of his son. His brother Almum Abdul
Gahdric succeededto the throne, and believe
is the present reigning monarch. Prince says
Ire himself is entitled to the throne from this
circumstance. His brother is of the half blood :
his mother being an African. This circum-
stance, it appears provided there was no dispari-
~ in moral qualities, creates preference But
he has ne wish to enter again the hustle of pub
tic life. Many years of servitude have entirely
subdued his ambition for power. He will be
happy-he speaks to me on this subject with a
cnuntenance beaming with joy-if he can re-
turn to his native country, live the friend of
the white man, and die in the land of his fathers
could here mention that Col r is ready to
give him up without equivalent. | have also
explained to Prince the object of the establish
ment at Liberia. He speaks with gratitude of
the benevolent design and, taking into view,
the very short distance between that place and
his own country, he feels assured he can be of
very great service to that colony.
The African Prince above mentioned, has OBJ
tanned hisliberty, and was at Cincinnati, on the
the 22d of April, on his way to Washington,
where he will probably soon embark for his ma
tive sountry. The particulars of his liberation
have not yet been published.