Page:Abstract of the evidence for the abolition of the slave-trade 1791.djvu/51

( 21 ) things had been done by a former Governor, but the chief Maraboo at Rusisk did not recollect any such event.

Mr. Wadstrom was informed at Goree, by Captain Wignie, from Rochelle, who was just arrived from the river Gambia, that a little before his departure from that river, three English vessels were cut off by the natives, owing to the captain of one of them, who had his cargo, being tempted by a fair wind, to sail away with several of the free negroes, then drinking with the crew. Soon afterwards the wind changed, and he was driven back, seized, and killed, with all his crew, and those of the two other vessels. Mr. Wadstrom has, by accident, met with the insurer of two of these vessels in London, who confirmed the above facts.

Captain Hills says a man at Gambia, who called himself a prince's brother, had been carried off to the West Indies, by an English ship, but making his case known to the governor, was sent by him to Europe. Captain Hills was advised not to go on shore at Gambia, by the merchants there, for fear of being taken by the natives, who owed the English a grudge for some injuries received.

Mr. John Bowman says, that when a mate under Captain Strangeways, the ship then lying in the river S. Leon, at White Man's Bay, ready to sail, he was sent on shore to invite two traders on board. They came and were shewn into the cabin. Mean time people were employed in setting the sails, it being almost night, and the land breeze making down the river. When they had weighed anchor, and got out to sea, Mr. Bowman was called down by the captain, who, pointing to the sail-case, desired him to look into it and see what a fine