Captain Canot - or, Twenty Years of an African Slaver

Brantz Mayer, Theodore Canot

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• Publié par: thuwyeg
• Publié le: 08 décembre 2010
• Nombre de lectures: 31
• Langue: English

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Title: Captain Canot  or, Twenty Years of an African Slaver

Author: Brantz Mayer  Theodore Canot

Release Date: October 14, 2007 [EBook #23034]

Language: English

Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1

*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CAPTAIN CANOT ***

Produced by David Garcia, Sam W. and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Kentuckiana Digital Library)

CAPTAIN CANOT;

OR,

TWENTY YEARS OF AN AFRICAN SLAVER

BEING AN ACCOUNT OF

HIS CAREER AND ADVENTURES ON THE COAST, IN THE INTERIOR, ON SHIPBOARD, AND IN THE WEST INDIES.

WRITTEN OUT AND EDITED FROM THE

Captain’s Journals, Memoranda and Conversations,

BY

BRANTZ MAYER.

NEW YORK: D. APPLETON AND COMPANY, 846 & 848 BROADWAY. LONDON: 16 LITTLE BRITAIN. M.DCCC.LIV.

MANDINGO CHIEF AND HIS SWORD BEARER.

E NTERED , according to Act of Congress, in the year 1854, by BRANTZ MAYER, in the Clerk’s Office of the United States District Court for the District of Maryland.

M Y D EAR W ILLIS ,

TO

N. P. WILLIS,

OF IDLEWILD.

[Pg iii]

While inscribing this work with your name, as a tes timonial of our long, unbroken friendship, you will let me say, I am sure, not only how, but why I have written it.

About a year ago I was introduced to its hero, by D r. James Hall, the distinguished founder and first governor of our col ony at Cape Palmas. While busy with his noble task in Africa, Dr. Hall accidentally became acquainted with Captain Canot, during his residence at Cape Mount, and was greatly impressed in his favor by the accounts of all who knew him. Indeed,—setting aside his career as a slaver,—Dr. Hall’s observation convinced him that Canot was a man of unquestionable integrity. The zeal, mo reover, with which he embraced the first opportunity, after his downfall, to mend his fortunes by honorable industry in South America, entitled him to respectful confidence. As their acquaintance ripened, my friend gradually drew from the wanderer the story of his adventurous life, and so striking were its incidents, so true its delineations of African character, that he advised the captain to prepare a copious memorandum, which I should write out for the public.

Let me tell you why I undertook this task; but first, let me assure you that, entertaining as the story might have been for a large class of readers, I would not have composed a line for the mere gratification of scandalous curiosity. My conversations with Canot satisfied me that his disc losures were more thoroughly candid than those of any one who has hit herto related his connection with the traffic. I thought that the evi dence of one who, for twenty years, played the chief part in such a drama, was of value to society, which, is making up its mind, not only about a great political and domestic problem, but as to the nature of the race itself. I thought that a true picture of aboriginal Africa, —unstirred by progress,—unmodified by reflected civ ilization,—full of the barbarism that blood and tradition have handed down from the beginning, and embalmed in its prejudices, like the corpses of Egypt,—could not fail to be of incalculable importance to philanthropists who regard no people as beyond the reach of enlightenment.

The completed task rises before me like a moving panorama whose scenery and background are the ocean and tropics, and whose principal actor combines the astuteness of Fouché with the dexterity of Gil Blas. I have endeavored to set forth his story as plainly as possible, letting events instead of descriptions develope a chequered life which was incessantly connected with desperate men of both colors. As he unmasked his whole career, and gave me leave to use the incidents, I have not dared to hid e what the actor himself displayed no wish to conceal. Besides the sketches of character which familiarize us with the aboriginal negro in Africa, there is a good moral in the resultless life, which, after all its toils, hazard s, and successes leaves the adventurer a stranded wreck in the prime of manhood . One half the natural capacity, employed industriously in lawful commerce, would have made the captain comfortable and independent. Nor is there much to attract in the singular abnegation of civilized happiness in a slaver’s career. We may not be surprised, that such ananimalas Da Souza, who is portrayed in these pages, should revel in the sensualities of Dahomey; but we must wonder at the passive endurance that could chain a superior order of man, like Don Pedro Blanco, for fifteen unbroken years, to his pestilen tial hermitage, till the avaricious anchorite went forth from the marshes of Gallinas, laden with gold. I do not think this story is likely to seduce or educate a race of slavers!

The frankness of Canot’s disclosures may surprise the more reserved and timid classes of society; but I am of opinion that there is an ethnographic value in the account of his visit to the Mandingoes and Fullahs, and especially in his

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narrative of the wars, jugglery, cruelty, superstition, and crime, by which one sixth of Africa subjects the remaining five sixths to servitude.

As the reader peruses these characteristic anecdotes, he will ask himself how, —in the progress of mankind,—such a people is to be approached and dealt with? Will the Mahometanism of the North which is w inning its way southward, and infusing itself among the crowds of central Africa, so as, in some degree, to modify their barbarism, prepare the primitive tribes to receive a civilization and faith which are as true as they are divine? Will our colonial fringe spread its fibres from the coast to the interior, and, like veins of refreshing blood, pour new currents into the mummy’s heart? Is there hope for a nation which, in three thousand years, has hardly turned in its sleep? The identical types of race, servitude, occupation, and character that are now extant in Africa, may be found on the Egyptian monuments built forty centuries ago ; while a Latin poem, attributed to Virgil, describes a menial negress who might unquestionably pass for a slave of our Southern plantations:

“Interdum clamat Cybalen; erat unica custos; Afra genus, tota patriam testante figura; Torta comam, labroque tumens, et fusca colorem; Pectore lata, jacens mammis, compressior alvo, Cruribus exilis, spatiosa prodiga planta; [1] Continuis rimis calcanea scissa rigebant.”

It will be seen from these hints that our memoir has nothing to do with slavery as a North American institution, except so far as i t is an inheritance from the system it describes; yet, in proportion as the deta ils exhibit an innate or acquired inferiority of the negro racein its own land, they must appeal to every generous heart in behalf of the benighted continent.

It has lately become common to assert that Providen ce permitsan exodus through slavery, in order that the liberated negro may in time return, and, with foreign acquirements, become the pioneer of African civilization. It is attempted to reconcile us to this “good from evil,” by stoppi ng inquiry with the “inscrutability of God’s ways!” But we should not s uffer ourselves to be deceived by such imaginary irreverence; for, in God’s ways, there is nothing lessinscrutable than hislaw of right. That law is never qualified in this world. It moves with the irresistible certainty of organized nature, and, while it makes man free, in order that his responsibility may be u nquestionable, it leaves mercy, even, for the judgment hereafter. Such a system of divine law can never palliatethe African slave trade, and, in fact, it is the basis of that human legislation which converts the slaver into a pirate, and awards him a felon’s doom.

For these reasons, we should discountenance schemes like those proposed not long ago in England, and sanctioned by the British government, for the encouragement of spontaneous emigration from Africa under the charge of contractors. The plan was viewed with fear by the colonial authorities, and President Roberts at once issued a proclamation to guard the natives. No one, I think, will read this book without a conviction tha t the idea ofvoluntary expatriationnot dawned on the African mind, and, consequen tly, what has might begin in laudable philanthropy would be likel y to end in practical servitude.

Intercourse, trade, and colonization, in slow but s teadfast growth, are the providences intrusted to us for the noble task of civilization. They who are practically acquainted with the colored race of our country, have long believed that gradual colonization was the only remedy for A frica as well as America.

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The repugnance of the free blacks toemigration from our shoreshas produced a tardy movement, and thus the African population has been thrown back grain by grain, and not wave by wave. Every one conversant with the state of our colonies, knows how beneficial this languid accretion has been. It moved many of the most enterprising, thrifty, and independent. It established a social nucleus from the best classes of American colored people. L ike human growth, it allowed the frame to mature in muscular solidity. It gave immigrants time to test the climate; to learn the habit of government in states as well as in families; to acquire the bearing of freemen; to abandon their imitation of the whites among whom they had lived; and thus, by degrees, to consolidate a social and political system which may expand into independent and lasting nationality. Instead, therefore, of lamenting the slowness with which the colonies have reached their vigorous promise, we should consider it a blessing that the vicious did not rush forth in turbulent crowds with the worthy, and impede the movements of better folks, who were still unused to the task of self-reliance.

Men are often too much in a hurry to do good, and mar by excessive zeal what patience would complete. “Deus quies quia æternus,” saith St. Augustine. The cypress is a thousand years in growth, yet its limbs touch not the clouds, save on a mountain top. Shall the regeneration of a continent be quicker than its ripening? That would be miracle—not progress.

Accept this offering, my dear Willis, as a token of that sincere regard, which, during an intimacy of a quarter of a century, has never wavered in its friendly trust.

Faithfully, yours, B RANTZ M AYER .

B ALTIMORE ,1st July, 1854.

[1]

FOOTNOTE:

M ORETUM ,—Carm. Virg. Wagner’s ed. vol. 4, p. 301.

CONTENTS.

CHAP. I.—My parentage and education—Apprenticed at Leghorn to an American captain—First voyage—its mishaps—overboard—black cook—Sumatra—cabin-boy —Arrival in Boston—My firstcommand—View of Boston harbor from the mast-head—My first interview with a Boston merchant, W ILLIAM G RAY

CHAP. II.—My uncle tells my adventure with L ORD B YRON —C APTAIN T OWNE , and my life in Salem—My skill in Latin—Five years voyaging from Salem—I rescue a Malay girl at Quallahbattoo—Thefirstslave I ever saw

PAGE

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—End of my apprenticeship—My backslidings in Antwerp and Paris—Ship on a British vessel for Brazil—The captain and his wife—Love, grog, and grumbling—A scene in the harbor of Rio—Matrimonial happiness —Voyage to Europe—Wreck and loss on the coast near Ostend

CHAP. III.—I design going to South America—A Dutch galliot for Havana—Male and female captain—Run foul of in the Bay of Biscay—Put into Ferrol, in Spain—I am appropriated by anewmother, grandmother, and sisters —A comic scene—How I got out of the scrape—Set sail for Havana—Jealousy of the captain—Deprived of my post—Restored—Refuse to do duty—Its sad consequences—Wrecked on a reef near Cuba —Fisherman-wreckers—Offer to land cargo—Make a bargain with our salvors—A saddenouement—A night bath and escape

CHAP. IV.—Bury my body in the sand to escape the insects—Night of horror—Refuge on a tree—Scented by bloodhounds—March to the rancho—My guard —Argument about my fate—“M Y U NCLE ” R AFAEL suddenly appears on the scene—Magic change effected by my relationship—Clothed, and fed, and comforted—I find an uncle, and am protected—M ESCLET —Made cook’s mate —Gallego, the cook—His appearance and character —D ON R AFAEL ’ S story—“Circumstances”—His counsel for my conduct on the island

CHAP. V.—Life on a sand key—Pirates and wreckers —Their difference—Our galliot destroyed—the gang goes to Cuba—I am left with Gallego—His daily fishing and nightly flitting—I watch him—My discoveries in the graveyard—Return of the wreckers—“Amphibious Jews” —Visit from a Cuban inspector—“Fishing license”—Gang goes to Cape Verde—Report of a fresh wreck—Chance of escape—Arrival—Return of wreckers—Bachicha and his clipper—Death of Mesclet—My adventures in a privateer —My restoration to the key—Gallego’s charges—His trial and fate

CHAP. VI.—I am sent from the key—Consigned to a grocer at Regla—C IBO —His household—Fish-loving padre—Our dinners and studies—Rafael’s fate—Havana —A slaver—I sail for Africa—The Areostatico’s voyage, crew, gale—Mutiny—How I meet it alone—My first night in Africa!

CHAP. VII.—Reflections on my conduct and character —Morning after the mutiny—Burial of the dead—My wounds—J ACK O RMOND or the “M ONGO J OHN ”—My physician and his prescription—Value of woman’s milk—I make the vessel ready for her slave cargo—I dine with

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19

31

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Mongo John—His harem—Frolic in it—Duplicity of my captain—I take service with Ormond as his clerk—Ipack the human cargo of the Areostatico—Farewell to my English cabin-boy—His story

CHAP. VIII.—I take possession of my new quarters—My household and its fittings—History of Mr. Ormond—How he got his rights in Africa—I take a survey of his property and of my duties—The Cerberus of his harem—Unga- golah’s stealing—Her rage at my opposition—A night visit at my quarters—E STHER , the quarteroon—A warning and a sentimental scene—Account of an African factor’s harem —Mongo John in his decline—His women—Their flirtations—Battles among the girls—How African beaus fight a duelfor love!—Scene of passionate jealousy among the women

CHAP. IX.—Pains and dreariness of the “wet season” —African rain!—A C ARAVAN announced as coming to the Coast—Forest paths and trails in Africa—How we arrange to catch a caravan—“Barkers,” who they are—A HMAH - DE - B ELLAH , son of the A LI -M AMI of F OOTHA -Y ALLON —A Fullah chief leads the caravan of 700 persons—Arrival of the caravan—Its character and reception—Its produce taken charge of—People billeted—Mode of trading for the produce of a caravan—(Note:Account of the produce, its value and results)—Mode of purchasing the produce —Sale over—Gift of an ostrich—Its value in guns —Bungeeor “dash”—Ahmah-de-Bellah—How he got up his caravan—Blocks the forest paths—Convoy duties —Value and use of blocking the forest paths—Collecting debts, &c.—My talks with Ahmah—his instructions and sermons on Islamism—My geographical disquisitions, rotundity of the world, the Koran—I consent to turn,minus the baptism!—Ahmah’s attempt to vow me to Islamism —Fullah punishments—Slave wars—Piety and profit —Ahmah and I exchange gifts—A double-barrelled gun for a Koran—I promise to visit the Fullah country

CHAP. X.—Mode of purchasing Slaves at factories —Tricks of jockeys—Gunpowder and lemon-juice—I become absolute manager of the stores—Reconciliation with Unga-golah—La belle Esther—I get the African fever —My nurses—Cured by sweating and bitters—Ague —Showerbath remedy—M R . E DWARD J OSEPH —My union with him—I quit the Mongo, and take up my quarters with the Londoner

CHAP. XI.—An epoch in my life in 1827—A vessel arrives consigned to me for slaves—L A F ORTUNA —How I managed to sell my cigars and get a cargo, though I had no factory—My first shipment—(Note on the cost and profit of a slave voyage)—How slaves are selected for various markets, and shipped—Go on board naked—hearty feed before embarkation—Stowage—Messes—Mode of eating

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—Grace—Men and women separated—Attention to health, cleanliness, ventilation—Singing and amusements—Daily purification of the vessel—Night, order and silence preserved by negro constables—Use and disuse of handcuffs—Brazilian slavers—(Note on condition of slavers since the treaty with Spain)

99

CHAP. XII.—How a cargo of slaves is landed in Cuba —Detection avoided—“Gratificaciones.” Clothes distributed—Vessel burnt or sent in as a coaster, or in distress—A slave’s first glimpse of a Cuban plantation —Delight with food and dress—Oddity of beasts of burden and vehicles—A slave’s first interview with a negro postilion—the postilion’s sermon in favor of slavery —Dealings with the anchorites—How tobacco smoke blinds public functionaries—My popularity on the Rio Pongo—Ormond’s enmity to me107

CHAP. XIII.—I become intimate with “Country princes” and receive their presents—Royal marriages—Insulting to refuse a proffered wife—I am pressed to wed a princess and my diplomacy to escape the sable noose—My partner agrees to marry the princess—The ceremonial of wooing and wedding in African high life—C OOMBA

110

CHAP. XIV.—J OSEPH , my partner, has to fly from Africa —How I save our property—My visit to the B AGERS —their primitive mode of life—Habits—Honesty—I find my property unguarded and safe—My welcome in the village —Gift of a goat—Supper—Sleep—A narrow escape in the surf on the coast—the skill of K ROOMEN 118

CHAP. XV.—I study the institution of S LAVERYIN A FRICA —Man becomes a “legal tender,” or the coin of Africa—Slave wars, how they are directly promoted by the peculiar adaptation of the trade of the great commercial nations—Slavery an immemorial institution in Africa —How and why it will always be retained—Who are madehomeslaves—Jockeys and brokers—Five sixths of Africa in domestic bondage

CHAP. XVI.—Caravan announced—M AMI - DE -Y ONG , from Footha-Yallon, uncle of Ahmah-de-Bellah—My ceremonious reception—My preparations for the chief —Coffee—his school and teaching—N ARRATIVEOFHISTRIP TO T IMBUCTOO —Queer black-board map—prolix story teller —Timbuctoo and its trade—Slavery

CHAP. XVII.—I set forth on my journey to T IMBO , to see the father of Ahmah-de-Bellah—My caravan and its mode of travel—My Mussulman passport—Forest roads—Arrive at K YA among the M ANDINGOES —My lodgings—I BRAHIM A LI —Our supper and “bitters”—A scene of piety, love and liquor—Next morning’s headache—A LI -N INPHA begs leave

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to halt for a day—I manage our Fullah guide—My fever —Homœopathic dose of Islamism from the Koran—My cure—Afternoon

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CHAP. XVIII.—A ride on horseback—Its exhilaration in the forest—Visit to the D EVIL ’ S F OUNTAIN —Tricks of an echo and sulphur water—Ibrahim and I discourse learnedly upon the ethics of fluids—My respect for national peculiarities—Our host’s liberality—Mandingo etiquette at the departure of a guest—A valuable gift from Ibrahim and its delicate bestowal—My offering in return—Tobacco and brandy143

CHAP. XIX.—A night bivouac in the forest—Hammock swung between trees—A surprise and capture—What we do with the fugitive slaves—A Mandingo upstart and his “town”—Inhospitality—He insults my Fullah leader—A quarrel—The Mandingo is seized and his townsfolk driven out—We tarry for Ali-Ninpha—He returns and tries his countrymen—Punishment—Mode of inculcating the social virtues among these interior tribes—We cross the Sanghu on an impromptu bridge—Game—Forest food —Vegetables—A “Witch’s cauldron” of reptiles for the negroes

CHAP. XX.—Spread of Mahometanism in the interior of Africa—The external aspect of nature in Africa—Prolific land—Indolence a law of the physical constitution—My caravan’s progress—The A LI -M AMI ’ SPROTECTION , its value —Forest scenery—Woods, open plains, barrancas and ravines—Their intense heat—Prairies—Swordgrass —River scenery, magnificence of the shores, foliage, flowers, fruits and birds; picturesque towns, villages and herds—Mountain scenery, view, atmorning, over the lowlands—An African noon

CHAP. XXI.—We approach T AMISSO —Our halt at a brook —bathing, beautifying, and adornment of the women —Message and welcome from M OHAMEDOO , by his son, with a gift of food—Our musical escort and procession to the city—My horse is led by a buffoon of the court, who takes care of my face—Curiosity of the townsfolk to see the white Mongo—I pass on hastily to the P ALACEOF M OHAMEDOO —What an African palace and its furniture is —Mohamedoo’s appearance, greeting and dissatisfaction —I make my present and clear up the clouds—I determine to bathe—How the girls watch me—Their commentaries on my skin and complexion—Negro curiosity—A bath scene—Appearance of Tamisso, and my entertainment there

CHAP. XXII.—Improved character of country and population as we advance to the interior—We approach J ALLICA —Notice to S UPHIANA —A halt for refreshment and

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