The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-07-21
THE AFRICANS AT KEY WEST-THEIR DE
PARTURE For LIBERIA


The Charleston Courier publishes the following
late intelligence from the Africans at Kew West,
up to the 18th instant: ....F
We are indebted to merchant and resident of
Key West, who came a passenger in the Isabel
for some further particulars relative to the cap
tured Africans, which were taken into that port
He estimates the whole number to have been
little over sixteen hundred. From two hundred
and sixty to two hundred and eighty of these have
died since their arrival, chiefly from dropsy dysen-
terry and opthalmia. These diseases are supposed
to have been contracted by the close confinement
aboard the slave vessels.
Two vessels, chartered by the Government, were,
at the time of the arrival and departure of the
Isabel engaged in taking in cargoes to be conveyed
to Liberia. The first took five hundred and the
second over four Misunderstanding a balance of
about four hundred at Key West
Our informant expressed much surprise relative
to the story in the papers of the rescue of por-
tion of the negroes at Key West, and of their
being carried off. He assured us positively that
there is not a particle of truth in the report.
Every negro brought into Key West so far has been
accounted for by the United States Marshal who
is a vigiant officer. There an intmation that
such an attempt would be made, but the slightest
fear was never entertained that it would be sue
cessful. strict guard was kept up day and night,
consisting of police force of the citizens and
detachment of United States marines, and in addi-
ton to this, United States man of war was in
port most of the time, SO that none but the most
fool-hardy would attempt rescue under such cir
cumstances. 7s5lF 80 --r- So
After the ntimation alluded to was given, the
guard was doubled, and four eld-pieces were
mounted on small garrison erected for the pur-
pose, two of the pieces pointing towards the sea
and two towards the town. A picket fence was
also erected around the sheds containing the Afri-
cans, and sentry boxes raised at proper distances
near the enclosure. The first cargo bound for re-
shipment to Africa was taken on board vessel
tor that On TBS $Gd 9f p agd
at Key West on the 18th, and her cargo was on
board by the l4th. Alter completing her cargo,
the ship attempted to get out to sea, but was de,
tanned by calm srE . u>a-----.-- =
Our informant further states that the scene wit
messed on the Africans taking their departure was
truly heartrending. They begged upon their
knees, threw themselves down, and by signs, in
every possible way, communicated their repug-
nance to going back. Such as had picked up a
fow English words, spoke for themselves and the
rest, asking the Physician and the Marshal to al
low them to remain, and let the citizens do what
ever they wished with them. No man could have
witnessed the departure without feeling that it was
great wrong and an act Of inhumanity in sending
them back to their own country. And the negroes
had the intelligence to comprehend it. 1t was also
stated positively that two, at least of the negroes
who had been captured on the brig Echo and re-
turned, were among the number brought into Kew
West. =,