Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1854-09-08

days,--probably three times week their
mouths are carefully rinsed with vinegar,
while, nearly every morning dram is given
as an antidote to scurvy,
Although it Is found necessary to keep the
sexes apart, they are allowed to converse
freely during day while on deck. Corporeal
punishment is nerer inflicted save by order of
an officer, and, even then, not until the cul-
prit understands exactly why it is done.
Once q week the ships barber scrapes their
chins without assistance from soap and, on
the same day, thcir nails are closely pared
to insure security from harm in those nightly
battles that occur, when the slave contests
with his neighbor every inch Of plank to
which he is glued. During afternoons Of
serene weather, men, women, girls and boys
are allowed to unite in African melodies,
which they always enhance by an e1tempo-
raneous ton-tom on the bottom of II tub or
tin kettle,
These hints will apprise the reader that
the greatest care, compatible with safety, is
taken of q negro's health and cleanliness on
the voyage. In every wellconducted SLAYER,
the captain, officers and crew are alert and
viglant to preserve the cargo. 1t is their
personal interest, as we'll as the interest of
humanity, to do SO. The boatswain is in
cessant in his patrol of publication and dis
injecting substances are plenteously distri-
buted. The upper deck is washed and
swabbed daily the slave deck is raped and
holy-stoned and, at nine o clock each morn
ing, the captain inspects every part of his
craft 50 that no vessel, except man-of
war, can compare with a SLAYER in systematic
order, purity and neatncss. am not aware
that the shIp-fever, which sometimes deci
mates the emigrants from Europe, has ever
| prevailed in these African traders.
At sundown, the process of slowing the
slaves for the night is begun. The second
mate and boatswain descend into the hold,
| whip in hand, and range the slaves in their
| regular places; those on the right side of the
vessel facing forward, and lying in each
others laps, while those on the left are siini-
larly slowed with their faces towards the
stern. In this way each negro lies on his
| right side, which is considered preferable for
the action of the heart. In allOttng places
particular attention is paid to the size, the
taller being selected for the greatest breadth
of the vessel, while the shorter and younger
are lodged near the bows. When the cargo is
large, and the lower deck crammed, the su-
pcrnumeraries are disposed of on deck which
Is securely covered with boards to shield
them from moisture The strict discipline of
nightly stowage is, of course, of the greatest
Importance in savers, else every negro would
| l.
ger.
In order to insure perfect silence and re-
gularity during night, a slave is chosen as
constable from every ten, and furnished with
Il" cat to enforce commands during his APP
| pointed watch. In remuneration for his ser
vices, which, it may be believed, are admira-
bly, performed whenever the whip is required
he is adorned with an old shirt or tarry
trowsers. Now and then hilets of wood are
distributed among the sleepers, but this
luxury is seldom granted, as slaves have often
been tempted to mutiny by the power of arm.
ing themselves with these pillows from the
forest
1t is very probable that many of my readers
will consider it barbarous to make slaves Ii.
down naked upon board, but let me inform
them that native Africans are not familiar
with the use of feather beds, nor do any but
the free and rich in their mother country, in
drige in the luxury even of a mat or raw.
hide. Among the Mandingo chiefs-the mos
Industrious and civilized of Africans-tht
beds, divans and sofas are heaps of mud
covered with untanned skins for cushions
while logs of woods serve for holsters | an
of opinion therefore, that emigrant slave
experience very slight inconvenience in lyin,
down on the deck
But rentildtiOn is carefully attended to
The matches and bulkheads Of every SLAYER il
grated, and apertures are cut about the decl
for ampler circulation of air. Wind sails
too, are constantly pouring steady draf
into the hold, except during chase, when
Of course, every comfort is temporarily sacri
feed for safety. During calms or in light o.
battling winds, when the suffocating air o
the tropics makes makes ventilation impos
sible, the gratings are always removed, am
portions of the slaves are allowed to repose a
night on deck, while the crew is armed t.
watch the seepers.
Handouts are rarely used on shipboard
1t is the common custom to secure slaves il
the barrdcoons, and while shipping, by chain
ing ten in gang but as these platoon
would be extremely inconvenient at sea, tn
manacles are Immediately taken off and re
placed by leg-irons, which fasten them i
pairs by the feet. Shackles are never use
but for fuU-grown men, while women an
boys are set ut liberty as soon as they embark
1t frequently happens that when the behavio
of male slaves warrants their freedom, the
are released from all fastenings long befor
they arrive. Irons are altogether dispense
with on many brazilian slavers, as negroe
from Anjuda, Benin and Angola are unaC
dicted to revolt, like those who dwell east
the Cape or north of Gold Coast. Indeed,
knowing trader will never use chains bu
when compelled, for the longer slave
ironed the more he deteriorates and as h
sole object is to land a healthy cargo, pccl
mary interest, as well as natural feelin,
urges the sparing of metal.