The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1871-06-03
Horrors OF the COOlie Trade.

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the way to Callao, Peru, with six hundred
and eight coolies on board, and the rescue
of forty-three of them, who were landed
at Honolulu: For three weeks after leav-
ing port the coolies were not permitted on
deck. They were slowed between decks,
in four rows, two amidships and one in
each wing, a space sixteen inches wide
being allotted to each individual. After
the three weeks Imprisonment below,
under grated hatch-ways, the coolies were
allowed to come on deck in gangs of fifty,
for one hour, for the purpose Of exercise.
The deck was in charge of sentries, armed
to the teeth, besides carrying a cat-o'-ninc-
tails. The after part Of the deck was sep
arated from the main deck by barrcades,
defended by carronades. In order to get
the amount of exercise in the time allotted,
the men were compelled to move lively,
being melted thereto, from time to time,
with the lash of the cat. Soon after being
allowed to come on deck, some difficulty
occurred between the crew and gang of
Chinese, which resulted in the jumping
|
informant said eighteen. After getting
well out into the Pacific, all hopes of.
release from this involuntary bondage by
overpowering the crew died out, and the
coolies settled down in despair. Soon it
became necessary to allowance them, and
they were given dish, in which their food
and water were served out to them. After
careful weight and measurement, we find
that they were given one ID. of boiled rico
and less than one pint of water per diem.
Some of them had not been able to spend
the advance paid to them in the barracoon
at Macao, and consequently had a few
| dollars with them. They state that when
the pangs of thirst became unbearable
they would hold up dollar through the
gratings and call for water, when pot of
water would be given them and the money
retained. They were frequently whipped,
from twelve to twenty four stripes being
inflicted each time. The sentries kicked
and cuffed them continually. During the
| voyage about twenty-five deaths occurred.
The mate declared that at night the stencil
from the main hatch was overpowering.-
To use his own language: You could not
hold your head over the hatch one minute
without vomiting" The condition of the
ship and coolies on their arrival here was
miserable. This we state on the authority
of the gentleman who has followed the sea
for years. The condition of forty-three
who were landed here tells story of inhu-
mainly which appeals to the sympathy of
every citizen of christian community
On the forenoon Of the Goth ult., it was
rum red that forty three coolies from Do
lores Ugarte were in house back of the
old Liberty Hall premices. Learning this,
citizen secured the services of an interpre-
ter, and proceeded to the premises. The
sight presented on entering the yard was
enough to excite the sympathy and indigna-
ton of any man. Some of the unfortuntes
were lying in the sun waiting their turn for
a washing, unable to move hand or foot
Others were in the hands of some natives,
who placed them in a tub and poured water
upon them. Some of the parties were strip
ped in the presence of the different Witness
es, and afforded sight only equaled by
the representation in the American papers
of the Andersonville and Bell Isle prisoners
during the recent rebellion. One had died
and was buried. The poor emaciated crea-
lures gave indubitable evidence of mans
inhumanity to man." Twelve were in the
last stages of dscay-some with ship fever,
others with diarrhea. Two at least had
ulcers in the corners of their eyes, SO far
advanced as to render them blind for life.
The interpreter questioned them regard
ing the incidents of the voyage, after which
he asked them if they desired to return to
the ship; and all who could answered in the
negative. They were then asked if they
wished to remain on these islands; and the
answer was in the affirmative. The inter-
preter was instructed to say to them they
could remain here; that there was no law
which could compel them to return to the
ship. The joy evinced by them more than
repays the trouble and annoyance expert
enced by the parties who befriended them.
Knowing the excited state of the Chinese,
and of the natives who were witnesses to
suffering of the coolies, and also aware of
the resources of the agents of the ship,
which would be called into action to recon-
sign the poor creatures to slavery from
which death would be happy deliverance,
if they were aware of the intended exodus,
it was determined to take such steps as
would prevent mob or riot. The leading
Chinese were made aware of the wish of
their countrymen to remain here; and they
Immediately repaired to the house where
the coolies were kept, and in short time
thirty were removed to different localities.
During the afternoon the remaining twelve
were removed in carts. The removal of tho
full consideration of existing circumstance.
1t was thought that they could be made
comfortable elsewhere, and the risk of
death was thought to be lessened; as to
leave them was to insure their removal to
the ship, where death was sure to follow.
In fact the captain of the slave ship declar-
ed that he did not care for the loss of these
men, they would have died before reaching
Collao. The parties who interested them
selves in behalf of the coolies were hasten
ed somewhat from the fact the minister of
foreign relations and second associate justice
of the supreme court were seen in close con-
fab with agents, and, knowing that their
sympathies were entirey with the MASTER
prompt action was considered essential to
success. Until the ship had lief. it was
deemed prudent not to betray the. wherea-
bouts Of the now freemen. Every means
calculated to promote the comfort of all
and the recovery of the sick was taken
which could be.
Do LEWIS TO YOUNG WOMEN WHO
WANT MISUNDERSTANDING the young men
in the matrimonial market, only small
number are rich, and in America, such
rarely make good husbands. But the num-
Der of these who are just beginning in life,
who are filled with ambition who have