The native American., 1838-11-24

siiiN NioNSl h'4H du VIZ
another; this was apparent from the formation ol
the head. While we were there, five little boys
and girls were selected and bought to go into the
interior; no regard is paid to relationship, and
once separated they never meet again. We left
the tienda, and turning through the gateway we
saw some who were laying under the shade of the
plantan whose appearance told that they, at least,
would soon be liberated from bondage by death,-
thew were those who had suffered most during the
vovagc,-their situation was most melancholy.
| offered to one the untasted bowl of cocoa milk
| | was about drinking; she motioned it away with
a look that even from negress was expressive
of thanklulness, and which seemed to say how
unused she was to such kindness. We left this
wretched abode, and in few minutes were upon
the Paseo, where all the beauty and fashion of the
city were driving up and down in their volantes,
as if all, far and near were happy. What con-
trast! .-
Upon another occasion, as | was riding one e.
vening alone, along the rocky and barren shore
that extends for some miles to the eastward of
Havana, covered with the cactus and prickly
pear, came suddenly upon a troop of slaves
men, women, and children. | drew up by the
way side until they passed; three horsemen were
driving them; they were manacled, chained by the
ancles, barelooed, and almost naked; they pro-
ceeded in silence, which was interrupted only by
the rustling of their chains. Under the plea of
lighting cigar, I accosted one of the ho1semen;
he told me they had just landed in small inlet on
the coast, were one hundred and ninety in mum.
ber, and were vending their way to one of the
recepacles spoken of above. With feelings of
pity for the lot of these poor wretches, rode on
for some time, when turning my horse to take a
last view Of the beauty of the evening sky, for the
sun had sunk some time, again saw the melan-
choly troop crossing the distant hills, their tall
black forms strongly contrasted against the bright
Il ness of the western sky,-what were their feel
ngs thus in strange land and stranger language,
. unknowing of their fate, as they were under the
shadow of night thus driven into eternal bondage?
i An expression of opinion upon the subject OF
Fl slavery in the Spanish islands is dangerous to
stranger; depending upon this traffic to cultivate
and people the vast regions Of rich and uncultva
ted land in the island Of Cuba, and deriving as il
does from the produce of this island its very exis.
tence, the Spanish government do all they can to
prevent molestaton of their subjects or the Poru.
guese in the slave trade,-and although an appa.
rently attentive is given to the repeated and
, urgent remonstrances of the British government
against this traffic, it is rather secretly fosered than
frowned upon. While was at Matanzas, sla
yer from the gold coast arrived off the harbour o
: Havana at broad noon; and right under the guns
!, of the Moro castle, hailed and stopped the Gal
!, mendares'' steam packet as she was going in, con
tracted with the captain to land his cargo, which
after running into the Havana and landing his pas
sengers he did, having come out, taken off all the
slaves, put them shore in an inlet on the coast
about three miles from the harbour, and returned
to the city before night.
In the nineteenth century, with the word liberty
upon every tongue both in Europe and the wes-
tern hemisphere, will it be believed, that the
most profitable commerce is that of human flesh
Can there be no stop to the transportation from
4 Africa Of human beings? AS ali evidence of its
extent, slaves can be had in Cuba for the small
sum of $300!-'tis true those that are accimated
and speak the language are worth more. When
this is the case, it is in the power Of every one to
Judge if the commerce is not thriving one.