The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-09-15
co M M u NICATi o N s.
For Che Union.
COAST OF AFRICA.

For The Union.
COAST OF AFRICA.
Having noticed the English colonies on the coast
of Africa, as well those established by private
charity in the United States, for the benefit Of the
colored DESTROYS of emgratng TO the shores OF
their ancestors, we shall now take brief view OF
one of the French settlements on this coast.
Goree is small island rock belonging to the
French; il is about two miles from the main land,
and little to the southwark Of the promontory
which forms Cape Verde, in about IA degrees of
north latitude. 1t is quite sterii: not the smallest
spot of verdure is to be upon it, to relieve the
eye and it contains but one solitary tree, entirely
Invested of foliage. This tree is on the public square,
and stands as monument, emblematic Of the ardty
Of the place. On one end of the island n hill, about
three hundred feet above the level of the sea. From
the town. which is the foot Of it, there is gradual
ascent but the seaside, the rocks are almost per-
pendcular, and render il inaccessible from this
quarter. A strong fort has been erected upon this
emincnce, which commands, the town and harbor in
every direction Il is manned by one hundred and
fifty soldiers, and being entirely RENTED
when we visited il. The soldiers were mounting
guns of heavy calibre, in place of smaller ones; and
mechanics were repairing the walls thoroughly
The town is also fortified by strong water bateres
We found more Europeans here than ut any Of the
places we have visited. The troops are all white;
whereas at the English settlements they are all
black This may be owing to the comparative sa-
lubrty Of Goree; which being insulated, the MAS
ma from the mainland becomes in great degree
neutralized before it reaches it: SO that the Eu-
ropean can live here with impunity. We were in
for med that since 1887, Of fever have ORR
ginated there.
During the months of January, February and
March, it blows very fresh here-so much as TO rem
der the anchorage very rough the surfvery high and
the landing consequently very bad, as there are no
sea-walIs or wharves to break the violence Of the
sea. Cargoes are here landed in a species of boat
built expressly to suit the beach, end is rounded,
with very high bows; and the other end has fiat
bottom--the keel not extending the whole length of
the boat; SO that it can be run upon the beach-the
high bows presenting to and breaking off the surf,
and protecting the cargo from damage.
Goree is the depot for the landing Of nearly all Il .
provisions, stores, COAL &C.. destined for the French
colonies Of st. Mary's, st. Louis, &c. the main
land. These colonies are among the most sckly on
the coast-fevers raging there during the whole year
to frightful degree; 50 much SO, that European
traders prefer landing their corgoes at Goree and
thence serd them, with additional expense, to their
destination in small vessels manned by native Afr-
cans, rather than risk visiting the main land which
is here very low, and forms an immense swamp.
There is very large hospital at Gorec for the
use Of the sick soldiers and sailors who are sta
toned on the coast proper, and who, Immediately on
being attacked with fever, are sent off to this hos
pita-which is kept IN very good order. Here we
the sisters of charity dispensing their Offices to
the sick they had left their homes, to repair to
this desert spot to assist in alternating the suferngs
of their felow-creatures We conversed with them,
and were pleased to hear them say that they were
contented and happy. There were seven of them,
who all appeared in good health, and said they had
experienced but little or sickness. Well may
they be called sisters of charity for their works
worthy of such a name. In the hour of affection,
far removed from friends, what can be more sooth-
ing to the sick and suffering than the voice Of gen.
tie female, administering to our wants!
The blacks here are the most squalid and wretch
ed-looking beings we had anywhere seen on the
coast. They come from the main land, and swarm,
as it were, at Goree. They are here employed by
the authorities to do various kinds of labor. They
bring with them, in their canoes, few fruits and
vegetables, which they retail on the public square to
the residents.
While we were at this place, number of coal
vessels had arrived; and these wretched, halfsarved
looking creatures were employed carrying the coal
from the beach to the place of deposite There were
between three and four hundred women and chill
dren employed. Some had small baskets, contain
ing about peck Of coal, which they carried on
their heads, while the small children carried j, away
in Jumps of various sizes. This, to an American,
who advocates the go.ahead system, appeared TO be
an interminable business; but, everything has
end, So suppose, had this coal-carrying.
We also saw black convics here carrying about
the ball and CLAIM, work the Notifications, level
ing and clearing the roads; but these were not recap
tured Africans. do not Know that the French
have such commodities; but, for philanthropc ma
ton, they allow the blacks under their dominion to
be very much neglected. For the first time while
on the coast Of Africa, here black beggars--
and indeed they appeared objects of chariiy--in a
state almost of starvation. The truth is, the French
should not permit them to remain at Goree, where
they raise nothing depending upon the main land
for everything, even for water. They should compel
them to return to tas such accession of popula-
ton to place where nothing grows is well cacula-
ted so enhance the price ofal provisions place
it beyond the reach Of the poor blacks, who, by
manning at their native villages, would get an album
dance Of their own proper food. Little feeling, how
ever, is exhibited on the part Of the French for these
Africans. The greater the number that come from
the coast the greater will be the demand for work,
and the less will be the wages that interest i'm
pels them to encourage their emigration to Goree
not caring what may become of them, provided
they get their work done cheaply.
They 60 TO the coast, and risk their lives to make
money; and, whether it be at the expense of the
lives of their black laborcrs not they but lit
lie. The end ustifes the means, they say.
Wehave remarked in the course Of our travels, that
the blacks in the French settlements on the coast OF
Africa are the most misunderstanding beings Of any
we have ever there; and the same remark holds
good with regard to their slaves in their West India
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