The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1856-07-09
wv the elave Trade is Conducted
LIFE IN a BARRhcooy

the slave trade in the United States In attractin,
attention. The Journal Of Commerce SAYS that
New York Is vessels have been fitted on, in th.
past three weeks for that traffic The examina
tion Of the parties engaged In sailing the slavel
Ativie, came off last week, and the following ey
idence OF Andrew Wilson, one Of the crew, give,
a graphic picture Of the manner Of conductins
this traffic:
arrived in Boston In July, 1855 from . three
years whaling voyage; the money in which had
been paid off-as the wages of sailors generally dc
soon disappeared, and WAS obliged to 60, again
to sea; engaged rs seaman on board the schr
Mary f. Smith, the captain told me the vessel
was going to Montevideo. South America, we
were not many days out before discovered thai
the destination Of the vessel had been misrepresen
ted to me- and that, instead of going to South Ame
rica, she was bo und to the coast Of Africa on q
shaving expedition; found that the same impos
tion had been practised on nearly all the crew; the
second mate, among the rest, was imposed upon
the captain tried to smooth the deception ever
said he was obliged to take this course otherwise
1t would be impossible to make out . crew. As
the best satisfaction he could offer he promised us
all good wages, this latter profer acted salvo
to most, for the pay promised seemed fabulous In
amount the agreement with ordinary seamen was
5000, to 60 to the coast of Africa ana thence to
Cuba. from which place the passage of each would
be paid home in addition to this. each to have
the privilege of taking two negroes to Cuba to
sell; sailor that was, had too much of the New
England blood in my veins to sell myself to en-
gage In the slave traffic; as was situated, how
ever, could do nothing else but seemingly acqui.
esce; the second mate, ascertained felt as did.
Before reaching the coast of Africa, some lum-
ber on bosrd was converted into = slave deck, and
everything prepared for the negroes reception -
Great care was taken to keep out of the way Cf
vessels. There were several kinds of flags on
board, of different countries, to hoist was deem
I'D 4.,,@, .x:...
were on board to use in case Of attack or other
emergency. The Mary Smith landed at Cape Pa.
dron, on the coast of Africa, and Immediately set
about getting cargo of slaves
Hefore the entire cargo was taken on board, the
second mate aud my self deserted the ship and
went to slave factory, or barracoon as 1t is gen.
orally called, eight miles south of CapePadron we
here represented the cause of our desertion was
cruel treatment from the captain of the vessel we
had left the Mary Smith soon sailed, aud it was
lucky that in the case of the mate and myself
principle overcame avarice for the schooner, as
nave since heard, was subsequently captured by
brazilian man of-war, off Brazil where the cap
tain and crew are at present imprisoned the baI-
racoon where the mate and were received, wss
under the charge of q Mr. Fare, who was employ.
ed as the agent of a large merchant in Lisbon
Portugal; shortly after my arrival here the mate
died; l tarried here two months and heIf, and
during this time had full opportunity to learn the
manner in which the traffic in negroes is carried
on.
This barracoon, like all other barrscoons on the
coast OF Africa was situated in spot little lia
BILE to observation from the sea possible; this
was to prevent the detection of the oeality by
cruising vessels along the coast the harracoon
was roughly constructed affair, and comprised
two apartments, one for the negro males and the
other for the women and children; each apartment
was over four hundred feet long, by thirty feet
wide, with space intervening of about seventyfive
feet Each structure was raised somewhat from
fhp tn Vanfi arna from t1,ai i,,,Dd
tious to which the land near the shore Is liable
The sides and roofs were thatched. In tho two
buildings, Twas told, there were sometimes one
thousand negroes. The number depends upon
the luck of getting in stock and the frequency of
slavers landing on the coast. The way the
groes are obtained is by regular system of traf
he. Parties are trained to it who do nothing else
but forage the country and steal negroes. They
bring them to the barracoons and receive In ex.
change beads, calico, brass bracelea, Old muskets
or rum.
The price allowed for a stout able bodied negro
is about 90, and for women and children from &3
to 81, payable in goods. No children are bought
less than six years of age Such is the nfatuation
for ornaments and rum, that parents sell their
own children to the slave factors, and husbands
their own wives The negroes, during their stay
at the harracoon, are kept chained in gangs Of
from eight to twelve. An iron clasp is placed
around the neck of each negro, and chains attach
ed to these clasps. The parties are linked togeth
er.
They make their negroes work some, but keep
them chained together while at work. The work
they have to do. however, Is triiling. At this
place the nearest water was three miles Off and
it was no small labor to bring the water necessary
for drink. Beans, rice and maddox were the prin-
cpal food given the negroes. The latter is root
tha. grows there and it s made into sort of soup
No one but a negro could eat 1t.
Within day or two after being brought to the
barracoon the negroes are branded. Each barra-
baai it,a liar hran ondo ito
places for impressing the brand. The more usual
place is on the right breast. Sometimes it is on
one OF the arms or the back, or one of the thighs
The instrument of branding is always the same
heated iron, with the brand stamp cut in it, like
post office stamp
During the time was here. / tried to get away
to go to st. Paul de Loando, where might see the
American Consul but the agent would not allow
ms to leave the barracoon. Although he received
me kindly at first he afterwards changed his man
ner. He was very dark, sly Spaniard and it
was impossible 10 get his confidence. One would
not think of confding in him saw he evidently
regarded me with suspicion, and ouly sought to
avert his anger. knew if provoked be would as
soon make way with me as he would with negro.
He went heavily armed and while / was there,
shot one negro dead for dsobedience of his orders
At the end Of the two months and q half = slave
ship came to Cape Padron some eight miles
above, aud her captain and some men came to the
barracoon to buy a cargo of negroes. This SLAYER
negroes was bargained for, the price paid for the
men in the best condition was $50. For the wo-
mon and children was paid from $50 to $40 each
Mr. FeFre arranged with Captain Mishes, of the
Altivie, to have me go with the captain. 1t was
not at my solicitation, although l was anxious to
get away. My hope was that l might get off in
an English cruizpg vessel AS it was did not
venture to make any show of opposition but went
on board the vessel and entered upon duty IS
seaman
The Altivie was a schooner of $50 TONS well
built, aud fast sailer. The negroes were quick.
ly slowed on board the major part were com.
pactly hudded in the hold Accomm odations on
deck were afforded for the women and children
There was here fresh air, but the condition of
those in the hold was awful. They had to lie
spoon fashion, and were not allowed to stir out
A toerabie supply of food was Afforded, but wa.
ter was sparingly dealt out. The vessel directed
Its course to Cuba; it landed at Santa Nearia, q
desert island. During the passage 100 of the ne.
groes died the vessel was 40 days reaching this
island here they sold the negroes to parties from
Cuba, who were there in . vessel awaiting q car.
so; some prime fellows fetched $500 each Imme.
diAtely after the sale the Altivie was set ON fire
aud burned tho vessel lay here days; meanwhile
the captain went over to Trinidad 10 get passage
to the United States for himself and crew but a.
the charge for the passports was $1,000, he CON.
cluded to so without them. i heard there that a
great deal OF money had been made ont ~ ps se