Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1858-12-02
The Returned Africans.

The Secretary Of the Navy has received des-
patches dated at Porto Grande, Island Of ST. Vim
cent, October %, from Capt. Chauncey, ofthe U.
s. steam frigate Niagara. Capt Chauncey arri-
we'd ut st. Vincent on the day previous to writing
His object in touching this place was to obtain o
small supply of coal, having been obliged to use
steam during the preceding four or five days. in
consequence Of the prevalence Of an obstinate
south wind which vas constantly setting the yes.
sci to the northward and eastward, and daily
placing her further from the point Of destination
Capt. Chauncey reports that on the 14th ut
seven Of the captured Africans died from q COM
plcstion of diseases-rendered moro severe by
the unusual cold weather which had lately set in.
With this great mortality-forty. five deaths since
the negroes were received on board-with no
prospect Of change of wind, with rapidly de-
creasng supply of medicine. and a prospect Of
their falling short entirely, Capt Chauncey de-
termned to exercise the discretion vested in him,
and put the ship under steam, and seek south
ern latitude, more congenial to the negroes. In
taking this course, Capt. Chauncey was actuated
solely by the convictions Of his judgement, and by
o Conscientious desire to discharge faithfully q
very responsible duty.
Capt Chauncey says the negroes are extremely
filthy, and much prefer nudity to dress. We
have adopted the plan Of having large hose
euineo ou tneui tWiS0 PeE nSeh, VIII StrOHS mcu
at the engine. They appear well enough satisfied
with the bath. but cannot, even by the lash,
which we are compelled to employ freely, be
made to observe any other sanitary or decent
habit. It requires good large crew of men to
keep the spar deck, where they are located, clean.
When clothing was put on them in Charleston, Of
which the negro slaves in the city contributed
several dray loads, they Immediately tore it Of
and rolled in the sand and basked in the sun.
1t was found impossible to break up the filthy
habits Of the negroes, which greatly tended 10
spread the ravages Of disease. Remonstrauce
was unavailing. Those portions Of the ship allot-
ted to them, in spite Of every effort to keep them
oleanly, had become almost pest.house, filling
the air with pestilentisl vapors. Capt. Chauucey
considers these negroes the most degraded class
he has ever seen. The females, however, Of whom
one OILY had been lost, were in far better condi.
ton Of health and habits than the males.
Post examinations disclosed, in two
cases, extreme Inflammation of the region Of the
heart and pleura, superinduced by scurvy, and
diarrhoe. The blood was in a perfectly fluid state
the result Of scurvy. The intestines of some
were found entirely filed with worms, presenting
shocking condition Of long continued disease,
which no professional skill could remedy.
The males were watched and fed like children
md werc covered over at night to protect them
from the cold. One Of the medical ,fi GERS was
constantly on duty to attend to their wants. The
females were placed on the quarter deck, apart
from the males, and were well and happy.
81 know but few cases in which they manifest
any sympathy for one another, except to help to
scratch each others backs. They give no atten-
ton or sympathy whatsoever to the sick and dy-
ing. When one is dead the body may lay for hours
among them in immediate contact, yet unnotioed.
But as soon as the soul has fed, they steal the
blanket of the deceased and most unceremonious-
ly proceed to appropriate his bresi, spoon and
bag. During the process Of burial, they never
manifest the slightest concern. more stolid,
brutalized, pitiabls set Of beings never beheld.
"All of them take medicine without word Of
objection, yet whenever one sickens he is almost
certain to die. We found them with scurvy, diar.
roa, and opbthalmia, and relieved very much Of
the former and latter. They now have also ca
tarh, influenza, scurvy and chronic diarrhea.-
We have given them oil the aid that money liber-
ally expended and directed by intelligent Chris.
tian sympathies could dictate. But they are o
set Of poor, miserable beings, who will probably
soon relapse into their old state. am satisfied
that they would have beon much happier as slaves
In America bat the curse would be upon us, for
slavery always operates far more disadvantage.
ously on the white owners than on the negroes
themselves"
It was expected that the Niagara would leave
Porto Grande in the course Of the next twenty.
four hours. After landing the negroes on the
coast, the vessel would stop at Monrovia for coal,
and return direct 10 the United States. The Off
GERS and crew were In the enjoyment Of perfect
health. Washington States.