Page:Slave trade.pdf/12

( 12 ) canoes capable of containing thirty or forty negroes each, are aſſembled for this purpoſe and ſuch goods put on board them as they expect will be wanted for the purchaſe of the number of ſlaves they intend to buy. When their loading is completed, they commence their voyage, with colours flying and muſic playing; and in about ten or eleven days, they generally return to Bonny with full cargoes. As ſoon as the canoes arrive at the trader's landing-place, the purchaſed negroes are cleaned, and oiled with palm-oil; and on the following day they are expoſed for ſale to the captains.

When the negroes, whom the black traders have to diſpoſe of, are ſhewn to the European purchaſers, they firſt examine them relative to their age: they then minutely inſpect their perſons, and enquire into the ſtate of their health; if they are afflicted with any infirmity, or are deformed, or have bad eyes or teeth; if they are lame, or weak in the joints, or diſtorted in the back, or of a ſlender make, or are narrow in the cheſt; in ſhort, if they have been, or are afflicted in any manner, ſo as to render them incapable of much labour; if any of the foregoing defects are diſcovered in them, they are rejected: but if approved of, they are generally taken on board the ſhip the ſame evening. The purchaſer has liberty to return on the following morning, but not