Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1858-09-04
That SLAYER and her Precious Cargo

Tho Charleston and other South Carolina IN.
pcrs arc full oi this topic, and all the world
within their border arc nnxious to grt sight
at the "rea Afficans," perhaps to see how di-
'nrS
The Mercury gives the following further into
resting particulars Of the CONCERN:
"'Thc real name of tho captured brig is tho Gen
Putnam. These lcttors are partially erased and
covered over by those OF tho assumed name Echo,
aud would doubtless have been restored, had sue
ccss crowned tho enterprise in which she wns on
gng"d when taken. She is of Baltimore build say
80 tons burden. and it is believed was formerly
packet IN tho coffee trade between tlnt port and
Rio. On the 9th of March last she cleared from
New Orleans with captain, two mates eight sea
men, Il cook, steward, md ono passenger. On the
9TH July she shipped cargo OF 465 slaves on the
West coast Of Africa ut kabcnda, situated in lat
i'udr ! - South longitude t. 20 East. 1t is in
Lower Guinea, in the Southern part Of the Dis.
trict Of Luangu. and not nr from tho river CONG
or Ialro. These slaves purchased in n cir
cult Of 800 miles. md assembled Mt II barracoon
the point Of shipment The brig set sail with
them and in IL days made the trip. reaching tho
point Of destination on the morning Of the Olaf
instant. In this space Of time l4l negroes hud
diud, leaving but three hundred and fourteen
alive, ...,
The crow are II desperate looking set of fellows
Under the laws Of 1919 and 1890 they will be tried
bottom under the American flag. They were com
mitted ~ Jail on Saturday afternoon Their trials
will take place at Columbia, South Carolina. bc-
fore His Honor Judge Wayne, Circuit Judge ,Jns
Conner, u. $. district Attorney, prosecuting Of
hccr The Court begins TO sit tho 4th Monday IN
November.
Being curious to see tho cargo and arrangement
or the Echo, We obtained permit from DIR, W. G.
Ravenel, the Port Physician. and with one or two
others accompanied Lieut.. Bradford in u sninIl
boat from the wharf Upon clamboring up tho
s'dc Of the brig strange and startling sight pre-
scntcd itself, II deck covered with native Africans
in state of complete nudity, with rare instances
OF n narrow strip of rag nm inch wide round the
waist. These people were seated for tho most
part with their legs stretched out ilat drawn up
in front or donblcdup, some squatcd on their feet
and hands. \ few were standing about and few
lying down. None were tied or fastened in any
way. rhc mn njorty wore very young. apparently
f.om eight 10 sixteen years vi age, some younger
and some older; scarcely one, however, over TWEEN.
ty-!iyc. Sjme OF them ublc bodied, good
sized aud in good cnsc; but the greater part
half grown children only weak and worn. Nlnny
we're much emaciatcl, and showed plainly tho
effects Of their long and crowded passage in con
fined ship. A few were evidently i'll and soon to
die. All were pure black in color except the drop
sica whose skins were tawny from disease Their
hair is very short and crisp Those that were
well, appeared curious and pleased, some Of thom
ogling and giggling and chattcring, and others
smoking tobacco ont Of short clay pipes with cane
stems. just as our own negroes do. Those that
were thin and sick looked dull and british, but
there nothing wild fcrocous in their aspect.
They looked nmablc and docilc and readily obey
Cd the commands Of tho person who had charge Of
them. They are great thieves, however, and ap-
prorriatc whatever they can on every occason.--
There were 2lG.males and GO females, who wero
kept scperate on deck and in the holds. The men
and boys we're kept on the forward deck and in
the forward hold, which latter is 55 feet long 10
feet wide in the broadcast part aud narrow at the
head, and Al inches high the floor being formed
Of loose boards, movable at pleasure.
The hold for the women and girls is behind
this. II is of the same height IL feet long and
10 wide Under this temporary flooring is stored
the provisions, consisting Of rice, peas and the wa.
ter to drink Their food is boiled like "hoppin-
john" put in buckets twice day, at 10 and
o'clock, and placed in the midst OF circles Of eight
or ten each and we'll guarded to prevent strong
negroes from taking more than their share, al
though all are literally allowed. A pint of water
is given to each, morning and evening. Most of
them sleep on deck, being placed in close order,
spoon fashion, their sides, and not permitted TO
turn or move during the night AT day light they
arc dashed with buckets Of waterto wash them of.
They sing songs, clapping their hands and rocking
their bodies in time, and these songs have n great
resemblance to some OF our negro spirituals. Sc
yeral OF the negro follows exercise authority very
much after the manner ofour drivers, with airs Of
authority and ridiculous gesticulation and grima-
ecs. Others wore cooking tho "hig pot" like good
fellows, and with old breeches on too, obtained
from the sailors.--The captain of the hold under
stands their lingo, and says they very ayerse
to going back to Africa, US the United States law
requires. Our coast resembles that they como
from, and the group of pines opposite tho city on
the SOUTH looks to them like coooanut trees Of their
native Africa. ..,
Yesterday under the direction of the United
States civil officers, the negroes, 300 in number,