Page:Abstract of the evidence for the abolition of the slave-trade 1791.djvu/125

( 91 ) inquired of him the reason,—upon which he said he was going to be parted from his brother.

As a second instance, Surgeon Wilson says, that at Bonny, one of the people called Breechies, of the higher class, was brought on board. He seemed to take his situation to heart, and became ill; but from indulgencies, which none of the rest had, he partly recovered. When he was convalescent, a young woman was also brought on board, who proved to be his sister. On their first meeting, they stood in silence, and looked at each other apparently with the greatest affection;—they rushed into each others arms—embraced—separated themselves again,—and again embraced. Surgeon Wilson perceived the tears to run down the female's cheeks. The man had a return of his former complaint, and his sister attended him with the greatest care. The first thing she did of a morning, was to come to Surgeon Wilson, and ask how her brother did. He at length died—on the news of this, his sister wept bitterly, tore her hair, and shewed other signs of distraction. They carried her safe to South America, and there delivered her as a slave.

As a third instance, that mentioned by J. Parker may be introduced, (page 44) of the poor woman turning her head on one side, when obliged by the whip to drop her dead child overboard and weeping afterwards for many hours.

Mr. Wadstrom is clearly convinced, that the natives of Africa actually surpass in affection such of the Europeans as he has known.

Also in Moral Character.

On the moral character of the natives, Mr. Wadstrom says, that they are very honest and hospitable. He has often passed days and nights alone with them without the least fear, and was treated with all civility and kindness.

Captain Wilson calls them grateful and affectionate.—They treated him most kindly, he says, when many miles up their country, and unprotected, vying with each other M 2