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No. 10.]

OCTOBER, 1837.

WEST-AFRICA MISSION.

[VOL. VIII.

THE account of this Mission is continued from page 212 of the

present Volume.

Narratives of Three Liberated Negroes. The object of the Society in its various Missions has invariably been, to act, as far as practicable, through the agency of approved Natives: and this design has gradually become more and more attainable, in proportion to the success which has attended the training of the young, who have been brought under Christian Instruction. In Sierra Leone, through the blessing of God, the Education of the Liberated Negroes has furnished some supply, although not an extensive one, of Native Teachers. Some of these had previously, in their youth, passed through a variety of scenes, differing, in a truly affecting manner, from that lot which God has subsequently bestowed upon them, in connexion with the Society. As to what their early trials were, however, whether as children, or at a more advanced period of their youth, some of our readers be but little aware. may The discussions on the Slave Trade, thirty years ago and more, made the subject of the sufferings of Africa more familiar then, than they now are, to many persons in this country. The following Narrative, sent by one of the Society's Native Teachers, will exhibit anew the miseries which have attended, and ever must attend, this inhuman traffic: while at the same time every Christian heart will be gladdened to see the results attending the Missionary Efforts of the Society; and enlarged, to hope, and labour, and pray for blessings yet more extensive, throughout that afflicted and benighted Conti

nent.

RECORD, Oct. 1837.]

We shall give the accounts of each, separately, and in their own simple English style; interposing a The first few connecting remarks. we shall describe by the letter A.: this Narrative is dated Feb. 22, 1837 :—

As I think it will be interesting to you to know something of the conduct of Providence in my being brought to this Cojoy the privilege of the Gospel, I give you lony, where I have the happiness to ena short account of it; hoping that I may be excused, if I should prove rather tedious in some particulars.

Character of Slave-Trade Wars.

I suppose some time about the comnative country, enjoying the comforts of mencement of the year 1821, I was in my father and mother, and the affectionate love of brothers and sisters. From this period I must date the unhappy, but which I am now taught, in other respects, to call blessed day, which I shall never unhappy forget in my life. I call it “ day," because it was the day in which I was violently turned out of my father's house, and separated from my relations, and in which I was made to experience what is called "to be in slavery." With regard to its being called "blessed,”-it being the day which Providence had marked out for me to set out on my journey from the land of heathenism, superstition, and vice, to a place where His Gospel is preached.

For some years, war had been carried on in my Eyo country, which was always attended with much devastation and bloodshed: the women, such men as had surrendered or were caught, with the children, were taken captives. The enemies who carried on these wars were principally the Eyo Mahomedans, with whom my country abounds; who, with the Foulahs, and such foreign slaves as had escaped from their owners, joined together, made a formidable force of about 20,000; which annoyed the whole country. They had no 2 H

other employment but selling slaves to the Spaniards and Portuguese on the coast.

The morning on which my town, Ochogu, shared the same fate which many others had experienced, was fair and delightful; and most of the inhabitants were engaged in their respective occupations. We were preparing breakfast, without any apprehension; when, about nine A.M., a rumour was spread in the town, that the enemies had approached, with intentions of hostility. It was not long after when they had almost surrounded the town, to prevent any escape of the inhabitants. The town was rudely fortified by a wooden fence, about four miles in circumference, containing about 12,000 inhabitants, and producing 3000 fighting men.

The inhabitants not being duly prepared; some not being at home; and those who were, having about six gates to defend, as well as many weak places about the fence to guard against-and, to say in a few words, the men being surprised, and therefore confounded - the enemies entered the town after about three or four hours' resistance. Here the most sorrowful scene imaginable was to be witnessed ;-women, some with three, four or six children clinging to their arms, with the infants on their backs, and such baggage as they could carry on their heads, running as fast as they could, through prickly shrubs, which, hooking their blies* and loads, threw them down from the heads of the bearers. When they found it impossible to go with their loads, they only endeavoured to save themselves and their children. Even this was impracticable, with those who had many children to care for: as while they were endeavouring to disentangle themselves from the ropy shrubs, they were overtaken, and caught by the enemies by a rope-noose thrown over the neck of every individual, to be led in the manner of goats tied together, under the drove of one man. In many cases, a family was violently divided between three or four enemies; who each led his away, to see each other no more. I was thus caught, with my mother, two sisters, one infant about ten months old, and a cousin, while endeavouring to escape in the manner above described. My load consisted of nothing else than my bow, and five arrows in the quiver: the bow I had lost in the shrub, while I was extricating myself, before I could think of making

* Blies-a kind of basket used by the Natives.- Ed.

The

any use of it against my enemies.
last time I saw my father, was when he
came from the fight to give us the signal
to flee: he entered into our house, which
was burnt sometime back for some offence
given by my father's adopted son: hence
I never saw him more. Here I must
take thy leave, unhappy comfortless
father!-I learned, sometime afterward,
that he was killed in another battle.

Our conquerors were Eyo Mahomedans, who led us away through the town. On our way, we met a man sadly wounded in the head, struggling between life and death. Before we got half way through the town, some Foulahs, among the enemies themselves, hostilely separated my cousin from our number. Here also I must take thy leave, my fellow-captive cousin! His mother was living in another village. The houses, in the town on fire, were built with mud, some about twelve feet from the ground, with high roofs, in square forms of different dimensions and spacious areas. Several of these belonged to one man, adjoining to, with passages communicating with each other. The flame was very high we were led by my grandfather's house, already desolate; and in a few minutes after, we left the town to the mercy of the flame, never to enter or see it any more. Farewell the place of my birth, the play-ground of my childhood, and the place which I thought would be the repository of my mortal body in its old age!

We were now out of Ocho-gu; going into a town called Iseh'i, the rendezvous of the enemies, about twenty miles from our town. On the way, we saw our grandmother at a distance, with about three or four of my other cousins taken with her, for a few minutes: she was missed through the crowd, to see her no more. Several other captives were held in the same manner as we were: grandmothers, mothers, children, and cousins, were all taken captives. O sorrowful prospect! The aged women were greatly to be pitied, not being able to walk so fast as their children and grandchildren: they were often threatened with being put to death upon the spot, to get rid of them, if they would not go as fast as others; and they were often as wicked in their practice as in their words. O pitiful sight! Whose heart would not bleed to have seen this? Yes, such is the state of barbarity in the heathen land! Evening came on; and coming to a spring of water, we drank a great quantity, which served

us for breakfast, with a little parched corn and dried meat previously prepared by our victors for themselves. During our march to Iseh'i, we passed several towns and villages which had been reduced to ashes. It was almost midnight before we reached the town where we passed our doleful first night in bondage. It was not, perhaps, a mile from the wall of Iseh'i where an old woman of about sixty was threatened in the mannner above described. What became of her I could not learn.

Sale of the Slaves, to many Masters. The next morning, our cords being taken off our necks, we were brought to the Chief of our captors-for there were many other Chiefs, -as trophies at his feet. In a little while, a separation took place; when my sister and I fell to the share of the Chief, and my mother and the infant to the victors. We dared not vent our grief in loud cries, but by very heavy sobs. My mother, with the infant, was led away, comforted with the promise that she should see us again, when we should leave Iseh'i for Dahdah, the town of the Chief. In a few hours after, it was soon agreed upon that I should be bartered for a horse in Iseh'i, that very day. Thus was I separated from my mother and sister for the first time in my life; and the latter not to be seen more in this world. Thus, in the space of twenty-four hours, being deprived of liberty and all other comforts, I was made the property of three different persons. About the space of two months, when the Chief was to leave Iseh'i, for his own town, the horse, which was then only taken on trial, not being approved of, I was restored to the Chief, who took me to Dahdah; where I had the happiness to meet my mother and infant sister again, with joy which could be described by nothing else but tears of love and affection; and on the part of my infant sister, with leaps of joy. Here I lived for about three months, going for grass for the horses, with my fellow-captives. I now and then visited my mother and sister in our captor's house, without any fears or thoughts of being separated any more. My mother told me that she had heard of my sister, but I never saw her more. At last, an unhappy evening arrived, when I was sent with a man to get some money at a neighbouring house. I went, but with some fears for which I could not account; and, to my great astonishment, in a few minutes I was added to the number of many other cap

tives, fettered, to be led to the markettown early the next morning. My sleep went from me; I spent almost the whole night in thinking of my doleful situation, with tears and sobs; especially as my mother was in the same town, whom I had not visited for about a day or two back. There was another boy in the same situation with me: his mother was in Dahdah. Being sleepless, I heard the first cock crow: and scarcely was the signal given, when the traders arose, loaded the men-slaves with baggage; and with one hand chained to the neck, we left the town. My little companion in affliction cried, and begged much to be permitted to see his mother; but was soon silenced by punishment. Seeing this, I dared not speak; although I thought we passed by the very house my mother was in. Thus was I separated from my mother and sister, my then only comforts, to meet no more in this world of misery. After a few days' travel, we came to the market-town, Ijah'i. Here I saw many who had escaped from our town to this place, or who were in search of their relations, to set at liberty as many as they had the means of redeeming. Here we were under very close inspection, as there were many persons in search of their relations; and through that, many had escaped from their owners. In a few days, I was sold to a Mahomedan woman; with whom I travelled many towns, in our way to the Pohpoh country, on the coast, much resorted to by the Portuguese to buy slaves. When we left Ijah'i, after many halts, we came to a town called Toko. From Ijah'i to Toko all spoke Ebweh dialect; but my mistress Eyỏ, my own dialect. Here I was a per

fect stranger; having left the Eyỏ country far behind.

Temptations to Despair and Suicide.

I lived in Toko about three months; walked about, with my owner's son, with some degree of freedom, it being a place where my feet had never trod: and could I possibly make my way out through many a ruinous town and village we had passed, I should have soon become a prey to some others, who would gladly have taken the advantage of me. Besides, I could not think of going a mile out of the town alone at night, as there were many enormous devil-houses along the highway; and a woman having been lately publicly executed-fired at-being accused of bewitching her husband, who had died of a long tedious sickness. Five or six heads of

persons, who had been executed for some crime or other, were never wanting, to be nailed on the large trees in the marketplaces, to terrify others. Now and then my mistress would speak with me and her son, that we should by-and-bye go to the Pohpoh country; where we should buy tobacco and other fine things, to sell at our return. Now, thought I, this was the signal of my being sold to the Portuguese; who, they often told me during our journey, were to be seen in that country. Being very thoughtful of this, my appetite forsook me; and in a few weeks I got the dysentery, which preyed on me. I determined with myself, that I would not go to the Pohpoh country, but would make an end of myself one way or another. Several nights I attempted to strangle myself with my band; but had not courage enough to close the noose tight, so as to effect my purpose. May the Lord forgive me this sin! I next determined that I would leap out of the canoe into the river, when we should cross it, on our way to that country. Thus was I thinking, when my owner, perceiving the great alteration which had taken place in me, sold me to some persons. Thus the Lord, while I knew Him not, led me not into temptation, After my

and delivered me from evil.

price had been counted before my own eyes, I was delivered up to my new owners, with great grief and dejection of spirit, not knowing where I was now to be led. Continued Journeying toward the Coast-First Knowledge of Ardent Spirits

About the first cock-crowing, which was the usual time to set out with the slaves, to prevent their being much acquainted with the way, for fear an escape should be made-we set out for Jabbo, the third dialect from mine. After having arrived at Ik-ke-ku Yé-re, another town, we halted. In this place I renewed my attempt of strangling, several times at night; but could not effect my purpose. It was very singular, that no thought of making use of a knife ever entered my mind. However, it was not long before I was bartered, for tobacco, rum, and other articles. I remained here, in fetters, alone, for some time, before my owner could get as many slaves as he wanted. He feigned to treat us more civilly, by allowing us to sip a few drops of white man's liquor-rum; which was so estimable an article, that none but Chiefs could pay for a jar or glass-vessel of four or five gallons. So remarkable it

was, that no one should take breath before he swallowed every sip, for fear of having the string of his throat cut by the spirit of the liquor: this made it so much more valuable. I had to remain alone again in another town in Jabbo, the name of which I do not now remember, for about two months. From hence I was brought, after a few days' walk, to a slavemarket, called I'-ko-sy, on the coast, on the bank of a large river; which very probably was the Lagos on which we were afterward captured. The sight of the river terrified me exceedingly; for I had never seen any thing like it in my life. The people on the opposite bank are called E'-ko. Before sun-set, being bartered again for tobacco, I became another owner's. Nothing now terrified me more than the river, and the thought of going into another world. Cry was nothing now, to vent my sorrow. My whole body became stiff. I was now bade to enter the river, to ford it to the canoe. Being fearful at my entering this extensive water, and being so cautious in every step I took, as if the next would bring me to the bottom, my motion was very awkward indeed. Night coming on, and the men having very little time to spare, soon carried me into the canoe, and placed me among the corn-bags, supplying me with an Abálah* for my dinner. Almost in the same position I was placed, I remained with my Abálah in my hand, quite confused in my thoughts, waiting only every moment our arrival at the new world; which we did not reach till about four in the morning. Here I got once more into another dialect, the fourth from mine; if I

may not call it altogether another language, on account of now and then, in some words, there being a faint shadow of my own. Here I must remark, that during the whole night's voyage in the canoe not a single thought of leaping into the river had entered my mind, but, on the contrary, the fear of the river occupied my thoughts. Having now entered E-ko, I was permitted to go any way I pleased; there being no way of escape, on account of the river. In this place I met my two nephews, belonging to different masters. One part of the town was occupied by the Portuguese and Spaniards, who had come to buy slaves. Although I was in E'ko more than three months, I never once saw a white man; until one

Abalah-a kind of cake, of which the Natives are fond, made of Indian corn.-Ed

evening, when they took a walk, in company of about six, and came to the street of the house in which I was living. Even then I had not the boldness to appear distinctly to look at them, being always suspicious that they had come for me: and my suspicion was not a fanciful one; for in a few days after, I was made the eighth in number of the slaves of the Portuguese. Being a veteran in slavery— if I may be allowed the expression-and having no more hope of ever going to my country again, I patiently took whatever came; although it was not without a great fear and trembling that I received, for the first time, the touch of a white man, who examined me-whether I was sound or not. Men and boys were at first chained together, with a chain of about six fathoms in length, thrust through an iron fetter on the neck of every individual, and fastened at both ends with padlocks. In this situation, the boys suffered the most: the men sometimes, getting angry, would draw the chain most violently, as seldom went without bruises on their poor little necks; especially the time to sleep, when they drew the chain so close, to ease themselves of its weight, in order to be able to lie more conveniently, that we were almost suffocated, or bruised to death, in a room with one door, which was fastened as soon as we entered; with no other passage for communicating the air than the openings under the eaves-drop. And very often at night, when two or three individuals quarrelled or fought, the whole drove suffered punishment, without any distinction. At last, we boys had the happiness to be separated from the men, when their number was increased, and no more chain to spare: we were corded together, by ourselves. Thus were we going in and out, bathing together, and so on. The females fared not much better. Thus we were for nearly four months.

Arrival at the Coast-Liberation by British Men-of

War-First Alarms succeeded by Joy. About this time, intelligence was given that the English were cruising on the coast. This was another subject of sorrow with us-that there must be wars on the sea as well as on land—a thing never heard of before, nor imagined practicable. This delayed our embarkation. In the mean while, the other troop, which was collected in Pohpoh, and was intended to be conveyed into the vessel the nearest way from that place, was brought into E'-ko

66

was

among us. Among this number Joseph Bartholomew, my brother in the service of the Church Missionary Society. After a few weeks' delay, we were embarked, at night, in canoes, from E'-ko to the beach; and on the following morning we embarked in the vessel, which immediately sailed away. The crew being busy in embarking us, 187 in number, had no time to give us either breakfast or supper; and we, being unaccustomed to the motion of the vessel, suffered the whole of this day from sea-sickness, which rendered the greater part of us less fit to take any food whatever. On the very same evening we were surprised by two English men-of-war; and the next morning, found ourselves in the hands of new conquerors; whom we at first very much dreaded, they being armed with long swords. In the morning, being called up from the hold, we were astonished to find ourselves among two very large men-of-war, and several brigs. The men-of-war were, His Majesty's ships "Myrmidon," Captain H. J. Leeke, and Iphigenia,' Captain Sir Robert Mends, who captured us on the 7th of April 1822, on the River Lagos. Our owner was bound, with his sailors; except the cook, who was preparing our breakfast. Hunger rendered us bold; and not being threatened at first attempts to get some fruit from the stern, we in a short time took the liberty of ranging about the vessel, in search of plunder of every kind. Now we began to entertain a good opinion of our new conquerors. Very soon after breakfast, we were divided into several of the vessels around us. This was cause of new fears, not knowing where our misery would end. Being now, as it were, one family, we began to take leave of those who were first transported into the other vessels, not knowing what would become of them and ourselves. About this time, we six, intimate friends in affliction among whom was my brother, Joseph Bartholomew-kept very close together, that we might be carried away at the same time. It was not long before we six were conveyed into the " Myrmidon," in which

we discovered no trace of those who were

transported before us. We soon concluded what had become of them, when we saw part of a hog hanging, the skin of which was white-a thing we never saw before, as a hog was always roasted on fire, to clear it of the hair, in my country; and a number of cannon-shots ranged

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