A new account of Guinea, and the slave-tradeSnelgrave, William
History
A new account of Guinea, and the slave-trade
Snelgrave, William
Guinea -- Description and travel -- Early works to 1800; Slave trade -- Africa, West -- Early works to 1800
Early the next morning, I went on board the _Elizabeth_
with my Boats, and sent away all the Negroes then in her, into my
own Ship: not one of the other Ship’s Company offering to oppose it.
Two of them, the Carpenter and Steward, desired to go with me, which
I readily granted; and by way of Security for the future Success of
the Voyage, I put my chief Mate, and four of my under Officers (with
their own Consent,) on board the _Elizabeth_; and they arrived, about
five Months after this, at _Jamaica_, having disposed of most part of
the Cargoe.
After having sent the Slaves out of the _Elizabeth_, as I have
just now mentioned, I went on board my own Ship; and there being
then in the Road of _Anamaboe_, eight sail of Ships besides us, I
sent an Officer in my Boat to the Commanders of them, “To desire
their Company on board my Ship, because I had an Affair of great
Consequence to communicate to them.” Soon after, most of them
were pleased to come; and I having acquainted them with the whole
Matter, and they having also heard the Negroe’s Confession, “That
he had killed the white Man;” They unanimously advised me to put
him to death; arguing, “That Blood required Blood, by all Laws both
divine and human; especially as there was in this Case the clearest
Proof, namely the Murderer’s Confession: Moreover this would in all
probability prevent future Mischiefs; for by publickly executing this
Person at the Ship’s Fore-yard Arm, the Negroes on board their Ships
would see it; and as they were very much disposed to mutiny, it might
prevent them from attempting it.” These Reasons, with my being in
the same Circumstances, made me comply.
Accordingly we acquainted the Negroe, that he was to die in an hour’s
time for murdering the white Man. He answered, “He must confess it
was a rash Action in him to kill him; but he desired me to consider,
that if I put him to death, I should lose all the Money I had paid
for him.” To this I bid the Interpreter reply, “That tho’ I knew it
was customary in his Country to commute for Murder by a Sum of Money,
yet it was not so with us; and he should find that I had no regard to
my Profit in this respect: For as soon as an Hour-Glass, just then
turned, was run out, he should be put to death;” At which I observed
he shewed no Concern.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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