The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-03-26
FERNANDO PO.
A Penal settIemen ent Of spai aiu--sOmet thing
Relative 20 the Island.


II will interest our readers TO read this de-
scTiption of the island of Fernando Po, TO which
the Spanish authorities in CUBA are sending
their political prisoners:- E1N
The island of Fernando Pc is situated on the
western coast of africa, In the Blight OF Blafra
which is the extreme end OF the Gulf OF Guinea
lis southern extremity Is situated at three
degrees twenty-five minutes north OF the
EQUATOR, and Its longitude is eight degrees
tbirty.6ve minutes east OF Greenwich. Its
nearest point to the mainland is about forty-6ve
miles,
The highest point OF the island is a little more
than 1000 feet, while its rival, the CAMERON
Mountains. situated four degrees north, is more
than 1900 feet. The CAMERON nlonn' aims
were ascerded by Captain Burton, the dlstiu-
guished discoyerer OF Lake Tanganicak, few
years ago.
The CAMERON and Fernando are decidedly Of
volcanic origin, and so are the two Islands of
Princess and bt. Thomas, which are not lar
distant.
The island of Fernando Pc was discovered by
the Portuguese in the year 147l, who ceded it to
Spain In the year 1878. No European settlement
was ever made on the island until the year 1927,
and this was made by the English, who at that
time knew not that the Spauards had the right
OF pOssessiOn.
In the year 1927 the English established on
the island q coaling station, SO that their war
steamers which were engaged In prosecution Of
the prevention OF the slave trade in the Bight
of Blafra might coal there and get provisions.
The settlement was called Clarence, and the bay
was called by the same name. Part of the
liberated slaves captured from slavers and other
liberated slaves from Sierra Leone were brought
there, and when l visited the island the frat
time the population OF Clarence might have
been.a thousand.
few traders made the headquarters of their
establishment there, for Clarence is an excel
lent port for shipping palm oil, the water being
deep and well sheltered from tornadoes. YES
sells can almost touch the shore. Clarence was
at that time considered kind OF enirepot, to
store palm oil till 1t was shipped home. One of
the traders was named Governor of the colony
by the English.
The freed slaves began to plant orange aud
lemon trees and other fruit trees, which were
brought from the West Indies, and they made
living by selling them to the numerous men,
of-war which came TO coal at the island; and
bananas, pineapples, sweet potatoes, ground
nuts and yams were also products which met
a ready sale. The colony went on; the BLACKS
were somewhat prosperous, atany rate far more
so than the natives living on the Continent.
The Spaniards, some ten years ago, thinking
tn at the English were doing well, claimed the
island, took possession of it, signalling their
appearance by bringing large number Of
to die very shortly after their arrival. Soldiers
were also sent and Spanish Governor; then
penal settlement vas formed: The liberated
Africans, who had been somewha. Christianized
by Protestant missionaries, began to perceive
that they could not worship God according to
their own conscencies. Their meetings in their
churches were forbidden, though they were
allowed to retain their Bibles and meet in their
houses. = t
/ The convicts are employed to make roads, cut
trees, work hard in the hot sun. and of course
| the climate makes short work of them. Nothing
can be more picturesque and beautiful than the
island of Fernando Po. Hills after hills are
covered to the very summit with the magnid-
cent trees, which come down to the sea, and
like streams OF most delightful water pour down
from the mountains and Fernando Po would
be most charming island to live in If it was
not on account OF its deadly climate.
| The natives of the island number about five
thousand, and are called Boobies. The malaria
| causes fever, and many die of it. The rains are
| heavy and continuous, the heat Is very great
| dysentery and liver com plants are also common
| and the negroes will be the only people who
| will be able to live on the island for long time
| to come. The great number of graves testify to
the great mortality among the whites, aud the
| transportation of these political prisoners to
Fernando Po is an outrage against humanity
| and disgrace to civilization.
i p. b. Du CHAIILn.