The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-05-30
INTERESTING FROM THE COAST OF
5ttsaf AFRICA

man oflhls city, and asked permission of him 10 lay
them before our readers. This privilege has been
courieously granted and we are that readers
will both thank the writer and his correspondent for
the opportunity of perusing so rery interesting a
picture Of the manners men, and general condition
of the coast of Africa. tits scarcely necessary for
us to commend the spirit and the talent with which
these sketches are stricken Off The writer bids fair
to be distinguished ornament of the navy.
"OFF CAPE MousT, CoAsr OF AFRIcA, }
gu. s. BMG TRUxroN, Jan. 6, l645.
'Two months ago, | fully anticipated that by
this time should be cracking away before a fine
northeast wind on my way to the United States.
Uncertain as human affairs are said to be, my poor
lot seems almost an exception; but | am not sadden-
ed, driven mad, nor much annoyed at my present
situation. Last Monday, at 4 p. M. knew moth
ing Of what awaited me. | took advantage Of the
day (Which is my only leisure one, so busy are
we) to ride few miles out of town for the purpose
of visiting the only green spot on either OF the two
islands of the Cape de Verbs that have as yet seem
One brought up amidst the tall oaks and pines Of the
u s is impelled by excellent reasons, to indulge in
ennui and discomfort when on the coast. The very
sight Of the barren bills and sharp, parched unwood
ed mountains of the Cape de Verbs, supernduce the
blue devils; which are only to be chased off by
punging in medias res into the excitement of ac-
tive professional duties. SOnlnR out IFDnl tIc
United States. our good old ship was sorely dis
tressed. When but three days out, we encountered
the most terrible gale have ever seen. The Eng
sh language affords terms to depict the horrors
of such storm. To speak of flashing waves
and a frightful 'howling and screaming wind,
would fall far short of giving you any idea OF that
terrific gale. We lost all our storm sails; and every
thing absolutely forming part of the ship, that
was exposed, was washed overheard. But the
good old craft proved faithful and strong; and al
though tried to her very utmost, bore US safely
through, that, in twenty-five days after sailing,
we anchored at Porto Praya. We remained there
about twenty-four hours and then, in company with
the Commodore sailed for Porto Grande,' in the
island of ST. Vincent, to carry water and provisions
to the Prebe (she being completely disabled by the
African fever.) Having supplied her and filled
up the Macedonian also, we again made sail for
Porto Praya, and had been there just week when
embraced the opportunity to take ride in the
country preferred to in the first of this letter. to
see the valley of Trinidad Oh, the relief
green bush and verdant valley give the eye when
tired of gazing on barrenness! On my return to the
village found that the changes in the squadron had
been determined on, and that |, for good and suif-
cent reasons had been ordered to report for duty
board this vessel The commodore did me the
honor to send for me and explain why had been
thus suddenly, and without consultation request,
moved to this vessel; and felt so grateful for the
confidence reposed in me, that however unwilling
was to quit the most pleasant ship in the navy,
and so agreeable commander, / could but thank
the commodore, and express myself greatly pleased.
From the 9th of january, to this date we were
making the passage to this place. So soon a
vessel comes within the influence of the coast
climate, all on board must bid adiew to comfort.
The heat is intense, the wind scarcely strong
enough to refresh one from the constant draft upon
the pores the atmosphere dull and eaden-hued
every thing gets up to fever heat. For my part,
burning thirst makes me drink more than my
allowance Of wateryou will recollect that IN ships
we are compelled at times to put every man on an
allowance Of that most necessary and delicious OF
all fluids The appearance of this coast reminds
me very much of part of the coast of the
United States. There is long, low beach,
and world of forest behind it. Here we
see the endless level, broken at rare intervals,
by moderate hill. Cape Mount is one OF
these Interruptions Of the Gallinas river, about
thirty miles to the north and west of this place, we
were boarded by boat from her Britannia Males
ty's ship 'Larva-' On the day before yesterday an
expedition from her, attacked and destroyed sorae OF
the native settlements short distance up the river.
The officer who boarded us gave an account OF the
affair, spiced with the usual Dragging and overween-
ing predisposition of Engllshmen TO elevate their
own actions He appeared to wish to impress us
with the belief that her Majesty's expedition had
punished some great aggression, and made most
wonderful sacrifices to accomplish the abolition of
the slave trade After summing up all the informa-
tOn can OBTAIN TeldtlVc 10 the cllOTtS VI
sh on this coast for the abolition Of the save-rade,
am satisfied that the truth of the matter is quite
different from what her Maiesty's ministers would
have the world believe. Certain it is, that English
cruisers are exceedingly vgilan in capturing sla-
vers; yet think their philanthropy is very question:
able In the first place. the Africans are essentially
savage The black man loses no opportunity to
make his fellow man slave. There is no horror
in the Africans heart at seeing his fellow negro in
manacles, slowed away in the crowded hold OF a
SLAYER. He feels no computations at rushing on
the defenceless village, capturing the young and
healthy, staying the old and useless, and dragging
his booty to the barracoons of Gallinas. Give the
chiefs their price, and the slaves will be forthcom-
ing. If not sold their fate is but the cruel.
Providence seems to have stayed, for them, the
march of improvement; and while the rest OF the
world since the food, has been constantly advan-
cling, Africa has retrogated, as it were, and yet
sands uncyilized and unimproyed, except where by
the indirect influence Of slavery, feeble effort has
been made to establish nation in this land, which
seems the accursed Of Heaven The English expe
dton did mol destroy The siape pens short distance from
The place Of landing. may Judge them harshly-
may do them great injustice; indeed sincerely hope
thai my impressions of them are erroneous; but
cannot help thinking that, with all their professions
and show it is neither their object nor intention to
suppress the slave trade For each SLAYER captured
a premium Of sos is paid by the government to the
captors and for the vessels cruzng this coast all
are Immediately filled up, and the appointments con.
frmed by the admiralty. These vacancies are filled
from the junior officers Of the vessel The captains
share of the prize money is very large; hence the
zeal on the part of the cruiZers. Now for the ma
tional sacrifice. By system as cruel and hypo-
critical it is advantageous and convenient to the
British nation the captured African never reaches
his home again; but for life his services devoted
to the government, and not unfrequently he finds
himself after a round of service more hard and
cruel than any slave in the United States has to en-
dure, soldier, on this very coast Now, i
they want the services of these people, and
would honestly say so, and capture them,
recapture them, buy them, or obtain possession OF
them by any other means, there would be some
thing Of manliness at least in the proceeding But
to make philanthropy the pretext, and thus hold
themselves up to the world as the 'qunt essence
Of tenderness, is, to me, exceedingly offensive
81 will give you clear account of the late attack
on Gallinas, and of its cause.-The working of the
wheel within the wheel They pulled up the river in
boats fired some rockets, tore down and burned one