Page:Abstract of the evidence for the abolition of the slave-trade 1791.djvu/54

( 24 ) Afterwards, in 1768, being in a boat, with two other white persons, the natives attacked them. Both the former were killed, and he himself, covered with blood and wounds, was only suffered to escape, by consenting to give up boat and cargo, and to go to Gaboon. The The [sic] reason the natives gave for this procedure was, that a ship from Liverpool (one Captain Lambert) had, some time before, taken a canoe full of their townsmen, and carried her away. He heard the same thing confirmed afterwards at Gaboon.

Mr. Douglas states, that near Cape Coast the natives make smoke as a signal for trade. On board his ship (the Warwick Castle) they saw the smoke and stood in shore, which brought off many canoes. Pipes, tobacco, and brandy, were got on deck, to entice the people in them on board. The gratings were unlaid, the slave-room cleared, and every preparation made to seize them; two only could be prevailed on to come up the ship's side, who stood in the main chains, but on the seamen approaching them they jumped off, and the canoes all made for shore.

The Gregson's people, while at Bonny, informed Mr. Douglas, that in running down the coast, they had kidnapped thirty-two of the natives. He saw slaves on board that ship when she came in, and it is not customary for ships bound to Bonny, to stop and trade by the way.

Mr. How says, that abreast of Cape La Hou, several canoes came alongside of his Majesty's ship Grampus, and on coming on board informed the captain, that an English Guinea-trader a fortnight before had taken off six canoes with men, who had gone off to them with provisions for trade. On coming to Appolonia he was also told by Mr. Buchanan, the resident there, that a Guinea-man, belonging to one Griffith, an Englishman, and a notorious trader and kidnapper, between Cape La Hou and Appolonia, was then in that latitude.

Captain Hall was told by Capt. Jeremiah Smith, that in 1771, a Captain Fox had taken off some people from the Windward Coast. He