The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1858-09-15
In From the Charleston tienins News
Visit To the SLAYER and kef Crew.

Visit To the Shaver and ket Crew.
Being curious to see the cargo "a.
Arrangement Of the Echo, we ohtainst
a permit from Dr.. W. G. Kavenal, th;
port physician, and with one or two 9th
ers. accompanied Lieut.: Bradford in ,
small boat from the wharf UpoH clam
bering up the side of the brig a strange
and startling sight presented itself; a
deck covered with native Africans In 4
state of complete nudity, with rare in
stances of narrow strip of rag an incH
Wide round the waist. These peoblS
were seated for the most part with their
legs stretched out fiat or drawn up in
front or doubled up; sonic sduatted on
their feetaid hands A few were stahd-
ing about and few lying down. NonE
were tied or fastened in any way. The
majority were very young, apparently
from eight to sixteen years of age, some
younger and some older, scarcely one;.
however, over twenty-five. Sonic Of
them we're ablebodied, good sized and
in good case but the greater part were
half grown children only, weak and
worn. Many were much emaciated.
and showed plainly the effects of their
long and crowded passage in confined
ship. A few we're evidently i'll and
soon to die. All were pure black id
color, except the dropsical, whose skins
were tawny froiil disease. Their hair
is very short and Grips: Those who
were well, appeared curious and pleas
ed, some Of them ogling and giggling,
and chattering, and others smoking to-
bacco out of short clay pipes with cane
stems, just as our negroes do.
Those that were think and sick look
ed dull and british, but there was moth.
ing wild or ferocious in their aspect
They looked amiable and docile, and
readily obeyed the commands Of the
person who had charge of them. They
are great thieves, however, and appro-
PIRATE whatever they can on every occa-
sion. There were "a males and so fe-
males, who were kept separate on deck
and in the holds. The men and boys
were kept on the forward deck, and in
the forward hold, which later is 55 feet
long, 10 feet wide in the broadsst part;
and narrow at the head, and "A inches
high, the floor being formed of loose
boards, movable at pleasure. The
hold for the women and gi,ls is behind
this. 1t is of the same height, l2 feet
long and l9 wide. Under this tempo
rary flooring is store. the provisions;
consisting of rice, peas, and the water
to drink. Their food is boiled like
''hoppinjohn." put in buckets twice a
day, at 10 or O'Clock, aud placed in
the midst of circles Of eight or ten
each, and well guarded to prevent the
strong negroes from taking more than
their share, although all are literally al
lowed. A pint of water is given to.
each, morning and evening. Most Of
them sleep on deck, being placed in close
order, spoon-fashion, on their sides, and
not permitted to turn or move during
the night.
At daylight they were dashed Nth
buckets Of water to wash them off,
They sing songs, clapping their hands
and rocking their bodies in time, and
these songs have great resemblance to
some of our negro spirituals. Several
OF the negro fellows exercise authority
very much after the niaiiner of our dri-
Sers, with airs Of authority and ridicu-
lots gesticulations and grimaces.
Others were cooking the "big pot" like
good fellows, and with old breeches on;
too, obtained from the sailors. The
captain of the hold understands their
lingo. ard says they are very adverse -.
going back to Africa, as the. United
States' law requires. Our coast ressm-.
bles that they came from. and the group
OF pines which is opposite the city on
the south, looks to them like cocos nut
trees Of their native Africa.
Yesterday, under The direction Of the
United States civil officers, the negroes;
3o6 in number, were taken by the stea-
mer Gen. Clinch and conveyed to castle
Pinckney, in our harbor, where they
will be guarded by detachment from
the garrison at Fort Moultre. AS they
passed the plank to gain the steamers
deck. they presented a strange and AZ,
tecting sight. many of them being re-
duced to mere skeletons by the suffer
ing and depriyations Of the voyage
Severa! were in dying condition. few
dropsical. and a goodly number appar-
emily in health. fhey were visited on
Saturday by Mayor Macbeth and sevcr-
al alderman.
y Z. s