Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1848-11-17

P'FI'utu wv 'ne l OIlugucSe iCfION' Nhi'
in front OF il, a rich carpet and velvet cush-
ions, embroidered with gold, were arranged
on the floor for her use. The naughty pr.n-
cess observed this in silent displeasure. She
gave a signal with her eyes, and immediate
ly one Of her women knelt on The carpet, sup
porting her weight on her hands. Zhinga
gravely seated herself upon her back, and
awaited the entrance Of the Nicetoy. The
spirit and dignity with which she fulfilled
her mission excited the admiration Of the
whole court. When an alliance was offered,
upon the condition Of annual tribute to the
king of Portugal, she proudly answered -
" such proposals are for a people snbdued
by force OF arms; they are unworthy Of a
powerful monarch, who voluntarily seeks the
friendship Of The Portuguese, and who scorns
10 he their ~vassal."
She finally concluded a treaty. upon the
single condition Of restoring all the Portu-
guese prisoners. When the audience was
ended, the VicProy, as he conducted her from
the room, remarked that the attendant upon
whose back she had been seated, still remain
ed in the same posture. Zhinga replied =
d" 1t is not fit that the ambassadrrss Of a great
king should he twice served with the same
seat. ] have no further use for the woman"
Oh. rmed with the politeness Of the Euro
peans, and the evoluiions of their troops. the
African princess long delayed her departure.
Having received instruction in the Christian
religion, she professcd a deep conviction of
its truth. Whether this was sincere, or
merely assumed from political motives, is
uncertain. During her visit, she received
baptism, being then forty years old. She
returned to Angola loaded with presents and
honors. Her brother, Notwithstanding a So
lemn promise TO preserve the treaty which
she had formed, soon made war upon the
Portuguese. He was defeated, and soon at
ter died Of poison; some said his death was
contrived by Ihinga. She assembled tie
throne, and having %arlfully obtained possess
sion of her nephew's person, she strangled
him with her own hands. Revenge, rs well
as ambition, impelled her 10 this crime for
her brother had, many years before, murder
ed her son, lest he should claim the crown.
The Portuguese increased SO fast in NUM-
hers, wealth and power, that the people Of
Angola became jealous Of them, and earnest
ly desired war. Zhinga, having formed an
alliance with the Dutch, and with several
neighboring chiefs, began The contes, with
great vigor. She obtained several victories,
at first, but was finally driven from her king
dom with great loss. Her conqnerors offer
W w mr. vi tHG llIOIfs ~ SIZE
would consent 10 pay tribute. She haughii-
ly replied, :" II my cowardly subjects are will
ling TO bear shameful letters, / cannot endure
even the thought of dependence upon any
foreign power"
In order TO subdue her stubborn spirit the
Portuguese placed a king of their own choos-
ing upon the throne of Angola. This exas-
perated Zhinga TO such a degree, that she
vowed everlasting hatred against her enc
mics, and publicly abjured their religion
At the head of an intrepid and ferocious band.
she, during eighteen years, perpetually ha-
raised the Portuguese. She could neither
be subdued by force of arms, nor appeased
by presents. She demanded complete resti-
tuition of her territories, and treated every
other proposal with the utmost scorn. Once,
when closely beseiged in an island, she ask
ed a short time 10 reflect on the terms of sur
render. The request being granted, she ST.
lently guided her troops through the river at
midnight, and carried fire and sword into
another portion of the enemy's country.
The total defeat of the Hollanders, and
the death of her sister, who had been taken
captive during the wars, soflened her spirit.
She became filled with remorse for having
renowned the Christian religion. She treat
ed her prisoners more mercllully, and gave
orders that the captive priests should be at
tended with the utmost reverence. They
perceived the change, and lost no opportuni-
~ of regaining their convert. The queen
was ready to comply with their wishes, but
feared a revolt among her subjects and allies,
who were strongly attached to the customs
Of their fathers. The priests. by numerous
articles, worked so powerfully upon the SUI
perstitious fears of The people, that they were
prepared TO hail Zhinga's return TO the Ca
,holic faith with joy.
The queen, thus reconciled to the church,
signed a treaty of peace took the Capuchins
for her counsellors; dedicated her capital
city TO the Virgin, under the name Of Saint
Mary OF Matamba; and erected a large church.
ldoiatry was forbidden, under the most rigo-
rOus penalties and not a few fell martyrs to
Ihinga's fiery zeal.
a law prohibiting ~polygamy excited dis
content. Zhinga, though seventy-hve years
old, publicly patronized marriage, by espous-
ing one of her couItlers; and her sister was
induced 10 give the same example. The
Portuguese again tried TO make her a yassal
TO the crown; but The priests, notwuhstand-
ing their almost unlimited influence, could
never obtain her consent TO this degradation.
In 1867, one of her tributaries having vio-
lated the treaty OF peace, she marched at the
head Of her troops, defeated the rebel, and
sent his head TO the Portuguese.
In 1868, she made war upon a neighbor-
ing king, who had attacked her territories !;
and returned in triumph, after having COM
PEELED him TO submit to such conditions as
she saw IL TO impose. The same year she
abolished the cruel custom Of immolaiing
human victims on II tombs Of princes; and
- 49,. - a. 80 I
tiful church and palace.
She soon after sent an embassage to the
requesting more missionaries among
her people. The Ponlif's answer was pub
Iicly read IN the church, where Zhipga APP
peared with a numerous and brilliant tIain. |