Page:Abstract of the evidence for the abolition of the slave-trade 1791.djvu/44

( 14 ) Mr. Falconbridge does not believe that many of these slaves are prisoners of war, as we understand the word war. In Africa, a piratical expedition for making slaves, is termed war. A considerable trader at Bonny explained to him the meaning of this word, and said, that they went in the night, set fire to towns, and caught the people as they fled from the flames. The same trader said, that this practice was very common.

Mr. Falconbridge says also, that in his third voyage, which was to Bonny, a woman was brought on board big with child. As she attracted his notice, he asked her, by means of the interpreter, how she came to be sold. Her reply was, that returning home from a visit, she was seized, and after being passed through various hands, was brought down to the water-side, and sold to a trader, who afterwards sold her to the ship.

In the same voyage an elderly man brought on board said (through the interpreter) that he and his son were seized as they were planting yams, by professed kidnappers, by which he means persons who make kidnapping their constant practice.

On his last voyage, which was also to Bonny, a canoe came along-side his vessel, belonging to a noted trader in slaves, from which a fine stout fellow was handed on board, and sold. Mr. Falconbridge seeing the man amazed and confounded when he discovered himself to be a slave, inquired of him, by means of an interpreter, why he was sold. He replied, that he had had occasion to come to Bonny to this trader's house, who asked if he had ever seen a ship. Replying no, the trader said, he would treat him with the sight of one. The man consenting, said he was thereupon brought on board, and thus treacherously sold. All the slaves Mr. Falconbridge ever talked to by means of interpreters, said they had been stolen.

Mr. Douglas, when ashore at Bonny Point, saw a young woman come out of the wood to the water-side to bathe. Soon afterwards two men came from the wood, seized, bound, and beat her for making resistance, and bringing her to him, Mr. Douglas, desired him to put her