The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1858-11-24

IHs MICRO CARoo on fHR EcHo RgfusSIso Hoxy
The Navy Department il in receipt Of . letter
from Capt john 8. chauucsy, Of the U. 8. steamer
Niagara, dated AZ Porto Grands, Island Of ST.. Vim.
cent Cape do verdss, Oct 22d in which IL 10 stated
that the vessel touched there to obtain .rpp,v Of
coal, - her stock was unexpectedly diminished be.
cause Of the prevalence of south wisd, which
rendered It necessary to use steam; a.. under
sail, the vessel was driven farther frsm hsr port
CT destination.
lnnsual cold weather had beon experienced du.
ring portioE OF the trip, and during the tweuty.
hour hours preceding the I4th of October sevsn nf
the captured Africans had died from connlics-
lion oi oiseases-the scuryy and diarrbws-wbich
~ere rendered more difficult of trestment nd Of
increased fataiIty by reason Of the cold Tho cold
oa.nes was expeiienced ON account Of the vessel
oeinB otiven 10 the eastward aud north ward 4
considerable distGnce out Of her course
THESE cases OF death, added to those that had
previously occurred sibce the aepruss yers rs
csHeo on board at Charleston, made an agg rsgats
.. iity-nSe, AID there bsing no prospect Of q
cnangeof wind, aud the stock of medicines being
Iapdy reduced. until there was great liability OF
their failure, determined Capt. c. to put the vessel
uhoer steam Sud seek more southern latitude and
the port OF destination with all possb dispatch
lie feitcoItdeSs that this Goyeroment in the era
cntion OF It's philanthropic mission of rsturnins
these negroes Ito freedom and their native
iand'" would not object to the additional
"
lives. Every possible care has been used to render
The negroes comfortable; bus it Was fouud i'm.
possible to break up their filthy habits which
together with the unpropitious weather expert.
encea eidcs the commencement Of the voyage
nave Operated very much against their sanitory
Improvement. OF the deaths, only one hs, oc.
Cured among the females, ow ing TO the fact that
their habits are less filthy TheJ are ccu,para.
uveiy thriving, though most of them are eff scted
with catarrh. Capt. s. refers to the facts that no
Hartaiity has occurred siuce the vessei reached q
warm latitude, and that South wind had con !.
tinued to prevail while the vessel was under steam
TO vindiefte bis adoption Of that measure. Then,
again, bis stopping at Porto Grande ,r coal on the
outward gib viii obviate the necessity of his
touching fhsre on his return from Monroyis to
the Cnited States, which he would other wise
nave been compelled to do. He intended proceed.
Ing on his voyage within twenty four hours OF the
sinie OF wrltlng and reports the crew and officers
all well.
Dr. Ranney, the agent, says:
They are extremely filthy, and much prefer nu.
dity 10 diess. We have adopted the plan Of hav-
Ing large hose turned on them twice per week,
WIN strong naen at the engine. They appear well
enough satisfied with the bath, but cannot, even
/ by the lash, which we are compelled to employ
Ifeeiy, pc made to observe any other sanitary or
decens habit. 1t requires good large crew Of men
TO Keep the spar deck, where they are located,
clean. When clothing was put on them in Charles
| ton, OF which the slaves in the city contributed
several dray loads they immediately tore il of and
| rolled it in the sand and basksd In the sun. /
| Know but fsw cases in which they manifest any
| sympathy for one another, except to help scratch
each others backs. They give no attention or
| sympathy Whatsoever to the sick aud dying
When one is dead the body may lay for hours
| among them in immediate contact, yet uunoticed.
bIs as soon as the soai has fed, they steal the
blanket Of tho deceased aud uost uncsrem onion 4.
| ~ proceed to appropriate his bread, spoon and
bag. Daring the process of burial. they never
manifest the slightest concern. A more stolid,