Page:Abstract of the evidence for the abolition of the slave-trade 1791.djvu/41

( 11 ) The same Mr. Marsh made no scruple also of shewing him the stores of the factory. They consisted of different kinds of chains made of iron, as likewise an instrument made of wood, about five inches long, or an inch in diameter, or less, which he was told by Mr. Marsh was thrust into a man's mouth horizontally, and tied behind to prevent him from crying out, when transported at night along the country.

Dr. Trotter says, that the natives of these parts are sometimes slaves from crimes, but the greater part of the slaves are, what are called prisoners of war. Of his whole cargo he recollects only three criminals; two sold for adultery, and one for witchcraft, whose whole family shared his fate. One of the first said he had been decoyed by a woman who had told her husband, and he was sentenced to pay a slave; ''but being poor, was sold himself. Such stratagems are frequent'': the fourth mate of Dr. Trotter's ship was so decoyed, and obliged to pay a slave, under the threat of stopping trade. The last said he had had a quarrel with a Cabosheer (or great man) who in revenge accused him of witchcraft, and sold him and his family for slaves.

Dr. Trotter having often asked Accra, a principal trader at Le Hou, what he meant by prisoners of war, found they were such as were carried off by a set of marauders, who ravage the country for that purpose. The bush-men making war to make trade (that is to make slaves ) was a common way of speaking among the traders. The practice was also confirmed by the slaves on board, who shewed by gestures how the robbers had come upon them; and during their passage from Africa to the West Indies, some of the boy-slaves played a game, which they called slave-taking or bush-fighting; shewing the different manœuvres thereof in leaping, sallying, and retreating. Inquiries of this nature put to women, were answered only by violent bursts of sorrow.

He once saw a black trader send his canoe to take three fishermen employed in the offing, who were immediately brought on board, and put in irons, and about a week afterwards he was paid for them. He remembers B 2