The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1839-09-11

they need opportunities for exercise in the open
air.
This, hope, will be secured as soon as the
marshal returus from New London, where he
has gone TO take an inventory OF the SLAYER and
its contents. A faithful and accomplished ply
sician, Charles Hooker, NJ. d., Of New Haven.
is deyoting 10 them all the professional atten-
ton they need. Five or six of them are in the
hospital apartment. and some Of the rest are
slightly affected with the bowel complaints.
They have all been decently clothed in cotton
shirts and irowsers by the care Of the marshal.
and will have flannel provided as soon as the
physician shall direct. Care is also taken as TO
their food.
They were not as destitute Of clothing when
taken near our shore as has been represen-
ted in the papers, but had clothing, probably
found on board the SLAYER, which they did not
wear IN consequence OF the inlolersble heat
when confined in the hold Of the SLAYER. Great
curiosity is felt to these victims of The slave
trade, the first that have been known in Con
nectcnt for great many years.
Multitudes visit the prison, the keeper charg-
ing each one New York shilling, the avsls OF
which. after ust compensation for his trouble,
he purposes to expend for the benefit Of the
prisoners, or for some other charitable object.
Objections have been made to tins course, but
found some Of the most intelligent and hu-
name Of the citizens satisfied that the sympa-
thy produced by il is rather favorable than 9TH
erwlse To the prisoners, aud also useful IN rals-
ing their spirits, &c.
Joseph Clnquez, the leader is in the cell
with other prisoners; his countenance bears a
resemblance 10 the prints that are bawked a
bout our streets. He is less cheerful than ma
ny Of the Others. They all appear 10 be per
sons of quiet minds and a mild aud cheerful
temper; there are no contentious among them (;
even the poor children, three girls and one boy,
who are in 4 room by themselves, seem TO be
uniformly kind and friendly.
took along with me az old African man,
who SAID he could speak the Congo language.
IN hopes thereby OF attaining the means of com
municaiion with them, as the newspapers said
they speak the Congo; but they all say they
are not Congoes. Many of them say Mandlng,
whence it is supposed they are Msndlngoes.
though it is not unlikely there are persons OF
several tribes among them
Unremtted efforts will be made 10 obtain the
means OF communication with these unfortunate
persons, who have been committed to prison
and bound over to be tried for their lives, with
out an opportunity TO say word for themselves,
and without a word communicated To them ex
planatory Of their stuJtIon.
They are detained by the marshal on two
processes; one the commitment for trial on
charge fnr murder, ard the other the claim up
on them as property, by the Spanards who
pretend to be their owners, and by the Amer
can captors who have beed them for salvage.
It is believed there are number of Africans
in this city, OF various tribes, some Of whom
will be able 10 communicate with them.
Very respectfully,
JOSHUA LEAVITT.
l43 Nassau street, Friday evening, !
September 9th.