The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1839-12-07

ed for sale, often or generally placed in the Barra
cones?
Ans-They are not.
3. Are not lawful slaves in any part Of the
island placed in the Barracones?
Ans-At Havana they are not. cannot say
what is done elsewhere, but on whatever part OIL
the coast the slave trade is carried on there must
be Barracones; they are things that belong to it,
and are exclusively for it. When creole slaves
are sold in the country, they are sold on the es-
tates or with them.
a. Is not the use of native languages often con-
tinued for long time on certain plantations?
AnS.-l should say the very reverse if this
was the fact. Ithas been matter Of astonishment
to me 10 observe the shortness of the time in which
their native language is disused by the African
negroes, and the Spanish language adopted and
acquired.
5. Was not the limit of your duties at Havana !;
and therefore the circumstances alluded to lrlay
not have been within your knowledge?
Answer-On the subject of slavery in Cuba,
and of the condition of the negroes held in slavery,
believe am as fully informed as any foreign
or can be. have visited great many estates,
and made many journeys into the interior.
6. How many Barracones are there at Havana
and how many in other parts of the island?
Aassaoer-There are five or six at Havana out
side the walls, and contiguous to the Governors
country house. Wherever the slave trade is car
ried on hey must be established for its use. For
instance, in the vicinity of AIatanzas there is one
and others on other parts Of the coast.
Z. After the negroes are landed are they not
bona fide transferred by sale, without any inter-
ference of the Spanish authorities, or Of the mixed
commission?
Aas'rer-When negroes are introduced a, all
from Africa into the island of Cuba, they are lille
gally captured and illegally enslaved. And it un-
fortunately happens that the Spanish authorities
receiving an impost of ten dollars head for each
negro thus introduced, which is called a volunta-
ry contribution but is in reality tax, which has
no legal sanction for It's imposition, 10 inter-
ere to stop this conlraband trade and transfer, but
connive at it, and collide with the slave-traders ;
the manifest evidence of which is the number Of
illegal introductions having been for the last three
years, from twenty 20 five and twenty thousand
year into the island of Cuba. As TO the intcrfer
ence of the Commission, once the negroes have
been landed, it is not to be looked for; their iu-
risdicton extends only to cases of violation of the
treaty, brought before them by the capors of slave
ships; but the cognizance of all transgfessicns of
the Spanish law on Spanish soil, in this as III eve
ry other case OF crime, belongs TO the captain-gen-
eral.
The District Attorney objected to some Of the
statements in the deposition being received, which
were allowed to stand, on the understanding that
their admissibility was to be hereafter decided
There are several incidents connected with the
proceedings, which are important to be known,
which will be reserved for another report. 1t is
but just TO remark that the department of the
judge towards the Africans and their counsel, WAS
perfectly fair and honorable, worthy of his office
and satisfactory to the friends of humanity We
make this remark, because it is due, and because
many will wish to know how the fact is, and with.
out any reference 10 what is past, or what may be
to come.
CONDITION OF THE AFRICANS.
While at Hartford | took the opportunity 10
have very free and friendly conference with Mr..
Wilcox the U. S. Marshal in regard to the COR
dition and treatment of the Africans. And on re-
turning TO New Haven, | visited the Jail, in com
pahy with two highly respectable and impartial
citizens OF that town. | called several times in
order to the keeper Col. Pendleton but did not
succeed in finding him. found the prisoners
generally in the same condition described BY the
of the American. They were clad
in checked cotton shirts, and cotton and wool
trowsers, with woollen stockings and thick shoes.
They also had each one blanket. Of the suff-
cheney Of this clothing, under the circumstances Of
the case, the public will form their opinion. A
few Of them had an under-shirl Of white cotton
The rooms were no; enough; one OF them was
ventilated by the breaking of pane Of glass, but
The air left very dsagreeable SAVIOR in my mouth
md throat, that remained for several hours, and
was not removed until had taken food. The
,itIzens Of New Haven have some interest in
guarding against the occurrence of jail-fever in
heir town, from having so large number OF hui
nan beings confined all winter and swetering in
'u;k an atmosphere. The sick room is about IA
Get by 10, and quite high between joints There t
Ire four hunks or boxes of rough board, two on
he floor, and the others over them, at the height
If about three feet. They are four feet and seven
inches WIDE and each one is occupied by two sick t
nen. Their clothing is the same the others S
have good medical authority, that two sick men G
'ught not to be put into the same bed especially t
me so narrow; and that persons affected with e
complaint in the bowels, like that described by g
Dr.. Hooker, ought always to have flannel shirts, f
is regular part ol'their medica! treatment. /
The Marshal told me, that the prisoners had b
ome garments brought from the Amistad, which a
hey wore when they washed their shirts, which t
lie said was done as often as once week But, /
should presume from appearances, that the blan- Il
ats had SN Hr,t, \ Il Al