Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-11-07
THE SLAVE TRADE.

Some of the most considerable markets Tor
slaves in Africa are estab ished in The nelgh0or-
hood Of the Congo. and two of the largest OF these
Bihe to the south, and CassaDgo to the NORTH OF
that river, are described in the fo'io"'ne terms
by Douyille, who has lately puoiisneu a. ral:s
an account, in three volumes, OF MS rece"' '.s''
to the Congo and interior OF Africa. Inc price
of negro Is from fifty to sixty hye sh''l,hSs' OF
an EQUIV lent in calico or other ware; such d.
bad musket for good negro, &r' ABOUT sA
thousand blacks, Of whom twn''"ifus arc "o'"e",
are annually brought TO the market OF pines anu
fifty or so Of muIatto dealers come and bargain
for them. and their purchase completed, carry
them ava, in chains TO Angola or bengueia,
where these unfortunate beings are shiPPed.-
DouviIle is of opinion that this execrabie ramc
did not exist previously TO the appearance OF us
Christian patrons; but he forgets that proofs oil
its antiquity exist in Holy Writ, as well as IN
the pages Of Herodotus, and on various scuiP'u.
:. red remains, which are extant IN the tomos OF
Esypt. No change has taken place IN thus tratlc
since those early dates, save IN the chanhei
through which it passes. Most OF the suPersu-
tons peculiar to the savage state, are prevalent
among the Congo Negroes.
The God Of rhunder is an object OF peculiar
reverence, and his supposed wrath Is at times ap-
peased BY the sacrifice Of human victims, whose
flesh is,divided among the crowd, and devoureu
by them. When the sOrcerers ar soothsayers
have announced the necessity OF allaylns the
gods vengeance by such a holocaust, attempts
are immediately made TO ensnare some young
man or woman from neshboring tribe. under
pretence Of raising them to high station, OF
showing them peculiar marks OF honor; the un'
fortunate victims fall into the snare, and are re
ce,yed with caresses and Hastings; then led tc
some public snot, where the sCaffOld awaits them
and the rude multitude welcome their appearance
, with shouts Of Joy; at the very moment when IN
! toxicated with their Affiliations, death.blow iron
behind is given them; their last signs are drown
ed in the fesocous bowling Of their kldkuapper
and the breath has scarcely departed, before thu
body is torn to pieces and shared amongst them
The individual who has succeeded in entrappini
the victim. is raised to the honors, OF nobl,ty =
Douyjlle was himself more than once IN imml
nent danger of falling sacrifice; on one occa
n sion, the priss,s had kept him incarcerated esh
e DAYS, and the people were impatiently awaihn
K the hour of his humiliation. when he melted IN
d hearts of his saolers by an offering OF handsom
j. red cloak. some cotton cloth, and lew cottes
e rum. Having secured his ransom, the priest
y sailed forth aud persuaded the multitude ina
$ the god would not only be exasperated u N
1t white man should be offered up to him. but tia
e II was his VIII mat tiietr priSohei s""uu w %
y at liberty and suffered to depart freely IN wha
e ever direction he pleased
e On a subsequent occasion, when at Yauvo
'e where he discovered gold mine. the Monatu,
Vi chief. tempted him to stay amongst his tribe
the most extravas giant offers. one OF which was b
1t niece. who had reached her hundred and fort.
n second moon. aud was born tn the happiness, |
* the uncle said, nf becoming his wife in chief. =
;.sAains to the IL
l. kind Monatu, as proof of The vehcmeDce
/, his attachment to him, took an opportunity
u poisoning his attendants; IN order that he migl
y be ncapacaed from gaining the coast. Her,
N again, the traveller would have been lost, had h
N not happily bcthought himself of the priests Ct
pidity, and made them some rich presents,
aid OF which came lucky storm, which they ar
I, nounced as manifestation of the divinity's ar
ger at the detention Of the white man.
[.4fhenaum.