North American. [volume] (Swanton, Vt.) 1839-1841, 1839-09-25


lion it was ascerialned that the prisoners
speak six dialects and those in whose be-
half Mr.. L. is acting are very DESTROYS oI
obtaining the assistance II native Africans
who were born near the sources q! the
i Niger, or in Mandingo, or who can con-
verse readily in the Susoo, kissi, Msndin-
/ go, or Galinas dialects Several Of the
prisoners continue sck-two dangerously
so.-One OF the sick men, Jooah, writes
in some unknown language, which does
not appear 10 he Arabic. Mr.. Tappan
states that both Jingua and Bow|es "op-
peared to have some idea Of a good Spirit,
and also OF an evil Spirit. They said,
God is good, "s& ifthey told lies. The evil
spirit would take them somewhere, they
did not know where. Jingua had been
asked if he did not know that God would
punish him il he did not speak the truth,
and he replied, "yes," and added, in his
own language, "me tell no ie--me tell the
truth" Jihgua said he knew that if they
do good they win co TO God, and If they
are bad the evil one will get them. On
being asked where God was, he pointed
upwards"
OF the result Of the examination we are
compelled for want Of room 10 Limit our
extracts. Ii will be found by them that
wrong impressions have gained currency
IN reationto some OF the facts connected
with this novel affair.
" Jingua repeated that he left his father
nother, wife and three children in A irica,
and Bowie said he left his mother, three
brothers and two sisters ut his native place.
The stated that they had been in battles
IN their own country, using muskets, but
had never been kidnappers. would never
take any advantage Of any one, said Jingua,
but would always defend myself Bowie |
said his oldest brother was in debt, and
they sold him to pay il. They have no
money there, said he, and trade away men
instead Of money. They often trade peo-
pie away to The Spaniards for powder and |
guns. Bowie said there was great slavery |
in Gallinas. fThis is the place where Don
blanco, the great slave trader, pursues his
heIish business. They stated that they
were brought down the country 10 the
coast, and were chained when put on board
the slaver, which was a brig. 1t was
crowded with slaves, there being 900 men.
500 women, and 'eplen,y Of children"
Jingua here got down on the floor to show
Us how they were slowed on board, then
moved about on his KEGS, and as he rose
put his hand on the top OF his head, TO in
dictate how low the deck was They said
their suherings were great on the ma ssage,
and several of their number had died.
They stated that they were nearly two
months going 10 Havana. There they
were put a shore at the city in the night
and ironed hand and foot. Besides this
every two were chained together at the
wrist and by the neck. When they were
put on board the Amistead il was in the
evening, and they sailed about midnight.
Their irons were then taken of. Some 9
slept below, and the rest on deck. Two Of
he Span. on board were armed with mus.
sets. The capl.o Of the schooner was very cru :
i; he beat them on the head very hard with
my thing he could catch, and he kept Them
Utmost starved. The fact stated in the
Examination before Judge Judson thai :
he captain sought to quell their rising bv
'rdering the cabin boy to throw biscuit
mong them, seems 10 confirm this They ;,
ay, there was no person on board the I
chooner beside themselves and comrades. /
nd the captain, the two Spaniards, the II
ahn boy, TIE cook. and two men who >,
cted as guard. The cook vas mulat- ;.
o, and the cabin boy is negro. Jingua -
nd Bowie both said they were down in e
he hold, and did not see the fight. g,
Antonio, who can speak only in file r.
panish language, which the African in. !.
.rpreter well understands, said he was y
afher over fourteen years OF age, that he ia
'as born at Havana, and had been a SER IL
ant to the captain Of the Amistead. He c,
ad been attached to that vessel three ;,
ears, during which time she had made u
'gular trips from Havana to Principe Ia
nth slaves. N. Wilcox, ESQ.,, the Mar h
lal, here said that the schooner could not II
American built, as she was very differ r,
II from vessels built in this country for
he slave trade. She is only shout Is or HI
D tons burden, and her decks are made ort &c
ahogany. From another source learned q,
lat, wherever built, she was evidently
tended for SLAYER, having ten swceps. ot
We on side, and very large hatchwav OF
ler cargo was worth about $4,000. Tn. re
'groes left The matches off during all d,
eathers, and some Of the goods are much -,
imaged, SO that the cargo will not prob -
bly, bring over $1,000. The money which 10
e negroes had, belonged to the can,ain pr
ID has gone into the possession Of the an
l.