Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1843-09-22
Biblical Repository.


IN BRAZIL,
And tile conduct of the British government and
Its agents, in the attempted suppression of
the slave trade.
The condition Of the Negroes in their o,cn country
and Brazil controsted.
We propose uniting these articles to display 10 the
world what we are under the impression they do not
generally %know-the system of the English Cabinet
WHICH is so much vaunted among civilized nations, ms,
the great scheme for the suppression of the slave
trade, and the universal eniranchisemen of the slaves.
We profess 10 have some personal knowledge of
this matter. During n cruise of three years on the
Brazil station, we frequently had this subject brought
under our close observation, and from hearing SO
much of the sacrifices, and destruction of the self in
terest of the English ma zion by themselves, for the
cause of suffering humanity alone, we were naturally
led to contrast what we saw and heard together, and
rs we hope, draw the proper inference. We were Of
'tentimes thrown into the company of officers of the
Royal Navy, who were in charge of slaves as prize
masters, and have had detailed from their own mouths
some of the facts which we shall relate. Again, we
have boarded and examined vessels fitting out for a
trip TO the coast of Africa, and noticed their arrange
men,s for the purpose of Information; and conversed
with their commanders who have freely detailed their
method of procedure. Sill again, in reference 10 the
condition of the slaves in Brazil, we have been in the
constant habit whilst visiting the different cities on
her coast, of seeing the situation Of the slaves, their
labor, food, and treatment by their masters, and OBJ
serving 1t all in detail. 1t must be allowed therefore,
that we have had a pretty fair opportunity to make
our inquiries ana earn something about these affairs.
We have endenvored TO do so, and trust the sequel
will show for itself, that what we are about 10 relate.
Is sober convincing proof md no, the fight of a vivid
IMAGINATION, or an erroneous Judgment.
As far as we can learn the condition of the Black
population of Africa is bad enough, In the depth of
their degradation they may truly be classed at the bot.
tom of all nations and races of men that still remain
in the savage stale. They live upon The spontaneous
productions OF nature, and have no cares, no wants,
their lives are those of the greatest possible Incidence,
and filth, and seem to have been gwen them for no
end whatever, having no more thought Tor the NOR
row than the beasts of the forests that surround
them. Still they are happy, for they feel no troi
bles-they are free for they have none TO Cypress
them, and they have the ties of kindred and home TO
bind them to their native shores, which not only man,
but the most Insignificant of Gods creatures ac-
knowledge the same. True they have their quarTels
and their battles, their prisoners and their prisoners
ransom. the same as all the nations of the world in
their day have had. But here the white man sup
plies the ransom, and they go no more to their own
natal scenes, but become the slaves of the purchaser.
Such $ sketch of the condition of the black man
on his native shores, to which all who have ever read
their geography, or folio we'd the adventurous travel
Ter through those dangerous regions can testify. We
will now follow them across the Atlantic to the coast
of Brazil. Here we see them landed from the slave
vessel-that is, all who have escaped the ravages oil
the small pox-poor, and emaciated, and some scarce
ly able to stand, from their harsh treatment and scan
~ food. Immediately they are driven TO the slave mar
ket, where, bowed down and broken hearted, with
disease, bodily weakness, and cankerino misery thew
are sold to their future lords and masters.
It's said by some, that the condition of The Negro
is improved by his transportation to a civilized conn
try, VIII any one tell us, that Nature is as beautiful
whilst under the control of man, as in all its wild I'M
fettered freedom. Where is the animal SO beautiful
where the bird that so sweetly sings-where the
plucked flower TO adorn a lady's vase-where the
cooped up water fall-where so beautiful, as in ma
you will, but never under the veil of phiIanhropv
teach the negro a trade, to gain him a livelihood. in n
country he was never destined for, and for tle pur'
pose of filing the Golfers of n haid tas&-master, in
realty the worst hypocrite, and the most accomplish.
"a scoundrel in the world. There is something noble
10y mlnd IN a man who is a scoundrel openly
""r one 10 preach philanthropy, public good, re.
. nv"i iof inc cause of deluding the world, whilst