Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1855-03-08
M ARCH 8, 1855.

$50 vi Ten. lhlrty years ago, when the Spanish
slave trade was lawful, the captains were some
what more ceremoniously religious than at pres
ent, and it was then universal habit to make
the gangs say grace before meat, and give
thanks afterwards. In our days, however,
they dispense with this ritual, and content
themselves with u Viua Ia Habana,' or shurrah
for Heaven" accompanied by clapping of
hands.
"This over, bucket of salt water is served
to each mess, by way Of finger glasses for the
ablution of hands, after which a kidd-either
oil rice, farina, yams, or beans, according to
the tribal habit Of the negroes--is placed be-
fore the squad. In order to prevent greediness
or inequality in the appropriation of nourish-
ment, the process is performed by signals from
a monitor, whose motions -iuaicaso~-wa.~-. 49,
darkies shall Dip and when they shall swallow.
'It is the duty Of guard to report imme-
diately whenever slave refuses to eat, in order
that his abstinance may be traced to stubborn
ness or disease. Negroes have sometimes been
found, in slaves, who attempted voluntary star
vation; so that, when the watch reports the
patient to be 'shamming bis appetite is stim-
ulated by the medical antidote of cat If
the slave, however, is truly ill, he is forthwith
ticketed for the sick-list by bead or button
around his neck, and depatched to an inirmary
| in the forecastle.
"These meals occur twice daily-at ten in
the morning and four in the afternoon are
terminated by another ablution. Thrice in
each twenty-four hours they are served with
half pint of water. Pipes and tobacco are
circulated economically among both sexes but
as each negro cannot be allowed the luxury of
a separate bowl, boys are sent around with an
adequate supply, allowing few whifs to each
individual. On regular days--probably three
times week-ther mouths are carefully rinscd
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 the day while on deck. Corporeal
punishment is neuer inflicted save by order of
an officer, and even then, not until the culprit
understands exactly why it is done. Once a
week the ships barber scrapes their ehins with
out assistance from soap; and, on the same
day, their nails are closely pared, to insure Sc
curity from harm in those nightly battles that
occur, when the slave contends with his neigh
Dor every inch Of plank to which he is glued.
During afternoons of serene weather, men, wo-
men, girls and boys, are allowed to unite in
African melodies, which they always enhance
by an extemporaneous tom-tom on the bottom
Of tub or tin kettle.
y" These hints will apprise the reader thai
the greatest care, compatible with safety, is
taken of a negroes health and cleanliness on
the voyage. In every wel-conducted SLAYER,
the captain, officers and crew are alert and
viglant to preserve the cargo. 1t is their per-
sonal interest, as we'll as the interests of hui
manty, to do SO. The boatswain is incessant in
his patrol of publication, and disinfccting sub
stances are plenteously distributed The upper
deck is washed and swabbed daily the slave
deck is scraped and holystoned and, at nine
o'clock each morning, the captain inspects every
part of his craft; SO that no vessel, expect q
man of war, can compare with SLAYER in sys-
tcmatic order, purity and neatness. l am not
aware that the ship-fever, which sometimes
decimates 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, land range the slaves in their regular
place those on the right side of the vessel fac.
ing forward and laying in each others lap
while those on the left are similarly 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 al
lotting places, particular attention is paid t.
size, the taller being selected for the creates
breadth of the vessel, while the shorter ant
younger are lodged near the bows. When thu
cargo is large, and the lower deck crammed, thu
supernumerarics are disposed of on deck, which
is scarcely covered with boards to shield then
from moisture. The strict discipline of nightly
stowage is, of course, of the greatest impor
tance in slavers, else every negro would accom-
modate himself as if he were passenger.
:" In order to ensure perfect silence and reg
ularity during night, a slave is chosen as con
stable from every ten, and furnished with &
'cat, to enforce commands during his appointet
watch. In remuneration for his services, which
it may be believed, are admirably performed
whenever the whip is required, he is adorne'
with an old shirt or tarry trowssrs. Now AM
then, billets of wood ore distributed among tn
sleepers, but this luxury is never granted unit
the good temper of the negroes is ascertained
for slaves have often been tempted to mutiny b
the power of arming themselves with thes
pillows from tho forest
1t is very probable that many of my reader
will consider it barbarous to make slaves Ii
down naked upon board but let me inforl
them that native Africans are not familiar wit
the use Of feather-beds, nor do any but the fire
rich in their mother country indulge in the lu,
ury even of mat or raw-hide. Among th
Mandingo chiefs-the most industrious and ci,
ilized of Africans-the beds, divans and sofa
are heaps of mud, covered with untanned Skin
for cushions, while logs of wood serve for bo
sters / am Of the opinion, therefore. tina
emigrant slaves experience very slight incor
! venience in lying down on the deck.
"But ventilation is carefully attended tc
The matches and bulheads Of every SLAYER ar
grated, and apertures are cut about the dec
/ for ample circulation of air. Wind-sails, too
are constantly pouring steady draft into tn
hold, except during chase, when, of course