Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1854-12-09
British Philanthropy,

The English nation, says the Vicksburg
Wing, profess great philanthropy, and take
an exceedingly active interest in behalf of
the negroes in the United States, but the fol-
lowing from Capt Canots twenty years of
an African Saver will show that their phi
lanthropy for the negro race is all an atfec-
tation, for they are willing to see an Afri-
cans throat cut, rather than intercede tor, or
advance twenty dollars for his redemption
II returned to Cape Mount from the col
ony, with several American mechanics, and
fresh assortment of merchandise for traffic
with the natives During my absence, the
agent left in charge had contrived, with
great labor to clear a large space in the for
est for my projected establishment, so that
with the aid of. my Americans, was ena-
bled to give the finishing touch to New
Florence-While the buildings were erect
ing, induced number of the natives. by
force Of double pay and the authority of their
chiefs, to form and cultivate garden, COM
prising the luxuries of Europe and America,
as we'll as of the tropics, which, in after days
secured the admiration of many a navel
commander.
AS soon as my dwelling was nicely COM
pleted, removed my furniture from the
colony; and still continuing to drum through
the country for business with the Africans,
despatched my Kroomen and pilots on
board of every cruiser that appeared in the
otfing, TO supply them with provisions and
refreshments.
An event took place about this time:
which may illustrate the manner in which
a branch of the slave trade is carried on
along the coast. Her Britanic Majesty's
sloop of war Twas in the nei ghborhood,
and landed three of her officers at my GUAR
tiers to spend day or two in hunting the
wild bears with which the adjacent country
was stocked. But the rain poured down in
such torrents, that, instead of hunt, pro-
posed a dinner to my jovial visitors Soon
after our soup had been despatched on the
piazza, there was rush of natives into the
yard, and was informed that one of our Bush
chiefs had brought noted gambler, whom
he threatened either to sell or kill.
1t struck me instantly that this would be
a good opportunity to give my British friends
sight of native character, at the same
time; that they might be enabled, if so dis
posed, to do a generous action. According
ly, directed my servent 10 bring the
Bushman and gambler before US; and as the
naked victim, with a rope round his neck,
was dragged by the savage to our table, I
perceived that it was Soma, who had form
erly been in my service on the coast. The
vagabon was an excellent interpreter AND
connected with the king. but had been
obliged to discharge him in consequence of
his dissipated habits and especially for hav-
ing gambIed away his youngest sister, whose
releas from Gallinas had been instrument
tai in securing,
Il have brought Soma to your store-keep-
err said the Bushman, and | want you to
buy the varlet. Soma has been gambling
with me. First of all he lost his gun, tn en-
his cap, then his right leg: then his left,
then his arms, and last of all: his head. l
have given his friends a chance to redeem
the dog but as they had bought him half
a dozen times already. there's not man in
the town that will touch him. Soma never
pays his debts; and now Don Teodore
have brought him here, and if you don't buy
him I'll take him to the water-side and cut
his throat!
Herewith an imploring countenance,
bare as he came into the world choking
cord round his throat. and with pinioned
arms-stood the trembling gambler as I
glanced in vain from the Bushman to the
officers, in expectation of his reeas by those
philanthropists! As Soma spoke English, l
told him in our language, that had no pity
for his fate, and that he must take the chan
ces he invoked. Twenty dollars would
have saved his life. and yet the British did
not melt! take him off, said sternly, to
the Bushman, and use him as You choosen
but at the same moment, wink to my
interpreter suficed and the Bushman re-
turned to the forest with tobacco and rum,
while Soma was saved from slaughtel. 1t
is by no means improbable that the gam
bier is now playing monte on some planta-
ton in Cuba"