Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-02-13


The African Slave Trade-FuII Account
and Profits Of VOyage-Interesting
Particulars. Um
A correspondent of the New York EUening
Post, who is evidently thoroughly ac-
quainted with the subject gives full ac-
count Of slave. voyage, from which we ex-
tract:
A Day on Board the Sgaver.--We will now
imagine our ship clear of the coast, and with
fair wind. A description of life on board
for one day will answer for the voyage
usually about thirty-fve days in length.
Our ship is 100 feet long, and thirty wide;
and on her deck and under her deck, and on
her cabin and in her cabin, are slowed 750
human beings, so cramped and crowded that
they can scarcely sit down when standing,
or stand up when sitting.
Early in the morning the crew lead hose
from the pump, and, without regard to sex
or condition, give each one a thorough bath,
and then proceed to wash from the decks
the accumulated filth and excrement of the
previous day and night. Each negro then
is compelled to wash out his mouth with
vinegar-this is done to prevent scurvy.
Now comes the morning meal, which con-
sists of q pint of water and quantity of
boiled rice and beans. After breakfast the
doctor makes his rounds, pitches overheard
the dead and the dying, and administers
medicine to such as are not beyond the hope
of recovery. The principal diseases with
which they have to contend are dysentery
and ophthalmia, both Of which are generally
fatal, and both owing to confined space and
foul atmosphere.
During the day the "contra maestro" goes
about among them with his whip; cows
down the boldest, and silences the noiseless
with his merciless lash. and sometimes Sc
lects the weakest, takes them to the least
crowded space and makes them dance to the
tune of his cowhide-to restore circulation.
Dinner consists of the same, with the oc-
casional addition of scraps of jerked beef
There is no change from this food during
the voyage at times, when the negroes ap-
pear despondent or weak, they are given q
little rum. AT night they are compelled to
lie down, spoon. fashion" Gas housekeeper
places her spoons in basket); canvas
covering is hauled over them, and it is i'm
possible for them to change their position
until the following morning.
But we will pass over all the sickening
details of heightened voyage, the excite.
ment of the chase, (when the negroes are
frequently sufocated under the matches, the
| frequent scantiness of water and provisions
with the consequent frightful mortality
! among the cargo and crew-often the "wages
! of sin is dealt" and the thousand and one
barbarous incidents which merely to read O.
must awaken the liveliest feelings of our ma
ture, but to witness and participate in, mus
eventually harden and degrade man unit
he becomes more brutal than a beast.
ATTiUdl at Cubd-We will now suppose
our ship safely arrived at the "Key st. Phil
lip"-this is one of many of the secluded
rendezvous abounding on the coast of Cuba
The captain drops his anchor, hoists his pri
! vate signal, and the launches, which hav,
been waiting since a certain fixed day, com,
, off, and with them a custom-house officer
probably sent by the Governor of the dis
trict. The negroes are landed, and sent Of
at once to some place where they are exer
cised, washed and fattened for the market
| The company's agent pays off the crew, Civ
ing to each man his pro rata.
The ships anchor is raised, sail is made
holes are bored in the bottom, and the oil
craft, foul with crime and full of all unclean
illness, is started forth upon the sea to surel,
sink, and thus obliterate from the records al
evidence Of the guilt in which she has beel
an innocent participator. - ---r---.-.-
Profits of The VoyGge.-The Captain goe
to Havana with one half of his ships regis
ter and false bill-of sale, which he forward
to the New York Custom-house accordin
to law, and in the meanwhile presents him
self to his principal with the following bal
| ohaaf.