The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-04-14
LETTERS FROM AFRICA.


Sbsrbro Country Vest africa, Oct, 1852.
To the Editor of the National Era:
You will rcolect that our mission was estab-
lished by the late Rev William Raymond, in
connection with the return of the Amistad
captives, as they have been called but it seems
to me, as have learned the particulars from
some of them, now living in the mission town,
that they should be designated, most emphati-
cally, the Amistad eaptwsrs. By the way, |
see from the last Erss received, that there is
danger that the United States will yet pay for
that noble band of frsemsn. If this would not
be a triumph Of slaueoeraey in the name of
injured humanity, what wouldt
When Mr.. Raymond arrived 10 Africa, war
was raging all along on this western coast
from Sierra Leone to Liberia so that there
was no road open to the missionaries, to 60
into the Mend country, as was designed before
they left America. ! think the war was provi-
Dental for it seems to me that by the mis-
sions being obliged TO settle down in the Sher-
bro country, will enable it to do more good to
Africa than it would if it had at first been es-
tablished interior, in the land of the Mendians.
think this from the fact--a fact not gene
rally known-that it was established in the
midst of one of the worst slave regions north
of the Blight of Benin. 1t is the general be-
lief that OLD Jim Tucker, us was called, ship
ped more slaves than any one man north Of
Ganinas. Indeed, his slaves ut one time be-
came 80 numerous, that no was obliged to col
onize them. And there is now quite an extern
sive region between here and the Big Boom
river, called Potey Side, that was originally
peopled entirely by his slaves.
The mission was finally located upon the
L Al
3mo driving a very brisk trade in human flesh.
He had one factory, or barracoon, within about
a mile of where | now write, and another at
Sea Bar, just north of Gallinas AS matter
of course, Brother Raymond, was severely tried
with this state of things. A few days after he
moved into one of King Harry fuckers houses,
it was converted, to all intents and purposes,
into a slave factory; for Tucker returned from
visit TO that notorious slave-dealer, Lewis,
with money, in the shape Of rum and tobacco,
for the purchase of more slaves, and placed
them in Mr.. Raymond's room, for greater Sc
curity.
Whenever there were new slaves purchased
they came for pay to the room of Mr.. Ray
mond. Under these circumstances, Mr.. Ray
mond, as am told by those then living at Old
Kaw Mend, at once lifted up his voice against
this traffic, and welded his pen, to persuade
the British Government to put an end to it,
His words took effect, and the influence was
powerful and lasting His denunciations of the
trade soon reached the ears of the Spaniards
As might have been expected they were
greatly exasperated. They Immediately sum-
moned Tucker, and told him that the white
man who was with him would ruin the slave
trade, and spoil the country. They also told
him that unless he drove Mr.. Raymond from
his place and from the Sherbro country if pos
sble that they would not give him any more
money. This was too much for the cupidity
of Tucker, and he Immediately returned to
Kaw Mendi, and informed Mr.. Raymond that
he was doomed to leave the country The
issue was now fairly joined-either slavery
must fall, or the mission be broken up. Which
should it bel Mr.. Raymond felt that but one
answer could be given Accordingly he called
all his people, laid the case before them, and
proposed spending the night in prayer. There
was but one word among them" Let us
pray" King Kissicummah and other chiefs
heard of fuckers command, and at once sent
messengers tdDAy to him that the white man
had come to teach their children books--thus
giving them sense, and to do the country
good; therefore, if he molested him. or sent
him away, the country would call him to an
account. Thus the mission was to stand and
slavery was doomed
From that hour 1t has melted away before
the Gospel rays like the SHOWS of winter be-
fore tire April sun and showers Indeed, the
work was so eiectually accomplished, that in
few years Harry Tucker was driven from his
country, both of his towns in Kaw Mendi and
Sea Bar were burned, and he is still an exile,
and his towns are still in ruins And, what
seems little remarkable, his own brothers
turned against him, and were among the most
efectual means of expatriating him. But in
banishng Harry, they in turn were banished
by other kings.
AT present, think there is very little done,
in our immediate vicinity, to supply slaves for
foreign Market Tho Tucker family have
again been trying for few months past to re-
vive the trade about thirty miles from u.s. but
the men of war watch them so closely that |
cannot think they will be able to do much.
From the foregoing you can judge whether the
hand OF God did not plant our mission here,
instead of farther Interior. By it's being loca-
ted here, its influence has been more easily
and directly exerted to break up the market on
the sea coast, and thus remove the temptation
to 60 to war back from the coast to procure
slaves for the coast trade. The influence of
the mission has ever been directed against this
mammoth sin, and it has been, and still il.
powerfully felt for hundreds of miles. The
news has gone abroad that these white men,
instead of coming after slaves, have redeemed
many and returned them to their own coun-
try again This as you see gives us strong
hold on the affections Of the people My asso-
ciate J. s. Brooks and myself made a tour to
the far interior, beyond where any rhite man
had penetrated before, during the last dry
season but although Mr.. Brooks went some
200 miles beyond where they had before seen
q uhiie face, yet we found that our name had
gone before us, and the word everywhere was,
when told that we were from the Mendi mis-
sion. 30, you black mans friend you come
to teach poor African to read book and sabby
God palaver, no more, (only
We found beautiful country, but will not
trouble you with this account now. At some
future timo may give you a sketch Of it from
my note book Yours J, CUTLER TEFrr.
FREETowN SIERRA LEONE
West africa, february is, 1883.
To the Editor Of the National Era: