The GRAIN and MALAGUETTA Coasts.
We left Sierraleon and were joined by our Consort the Weymouth, May 1, from Gambia; we found upon Conference, that both Ships had like to have ended their Voyage at these first Ports: She had run on a Sand in that River, wringing three Days and Nights in a Tide’s way, with great difficulty getting off: We, at Sierraleon letting in Water to the Ship one Evening, had forgot the Plug, till we had 5 or 6 Foot Water in the Hold.
The Company’s Presents, we understood by them, were received well there by the King of Barra, and he has given the Factors leave to build a Fortification at Gilliflee, a Town commanded by a Woman, about 15 Miles up the River; made a Duchess by Captain Passenger, from whence the Custom I believe has been taken up, of distinguishing the most deserving Fellows at trading Towns by the Titles of Knights, Colonels, and Captains, which they are very proud of. This Duchess of Gilliflee has become very much the Factory’s Friend there, and gives all possible Assistance in their Settlement.
Cape St. Mary’s, or the Starboard Entrance of that River, they found no Cannibals, as commonly reported among Sailors; but a civilized People, with whom they wooded their Ship.
On the 4th we were off Cape Monte, and next day Montzerado, both high Lands; the former appearing in a double, the latter with a single Hommock; the Country trenching from them, low and woody; about 35 Fathom Water 3 Leagues from Shore. From the latter, came off a Canoo with the Cabiceer, Captain John Hee, distinguished by an old Hat, and Sailor’s Jackett with a greater number of thick brass Rings on his Fingers and Toes, than his Attendants. He seemed shy of entering the Ship, apprehending a Panyarring; his Town’s People having often suffered by the Treachery of Ships, and they as often returned it, sometimes with Cruelty, which has given rise to the Report of their being Savages and Cannibals at several places; very unlikely any where, because they could not part with their Slaves, which are but few, if they had this Custom, nor could they have any Trade or Neighbours: Their Fears would make them shun their Enemies (the rest of Mankind) and all Correspondence totally cease.
The Fetish they brought off, on this dangerous Voyage, was a Bundle of small, black Sticks, like a hundred of Sparrowgrass put into a Bag, knit of Silk-grass, and hanging over one of their Shoulders, seeming to place a Security and Confidence in it; for I would have handled and tasted it, but found it put them in a Fright, saying, to deter me, You didee, you kicatavoo, (i. e.) if you eat, you die presently.
The mutual Distrust between us, made their present Business only begging old Breeches, Shirts, Rags, Biskett, and whatever else they saw, parting in some hurry, and calling to one another for that end, in a Note like what Butchers use in driving Cattle. They have plenty of Milhio, Rice, Yamms, and Salt hereabouts.
We found in our coasting by Bashau, and other trading Towns, the same Fears subsisting, coming off every day in their Canoos, and then at a stand whether they should enter: The boldest would sometimes come on board, bringing Rice, Malaguetta, and Teeth, but staying under Fear and Suspicion. Here we may take these Observations.
1. Canoos are what are used through the whole Coast for transporting Men and Goods. Each is made of a single Cotton-tree, chizelled and hollowed into the shape of a Boat; some of them 8 or 10 Foot broad, carrying twenty Rowers. The Negroes do not row one way and look another, but all forward, and standing at their Paddles, they dash together with dexterity, and if they carry a Cabiceer, always sing; a Mark of Respect.
2. Cabiceers are the principal of the trading Men at all Towns; their Experience, or Courage having given them that Superiority: All Acts of Government in their several Districts, are by their Votes.
They came off to us with some English Title and Certificate; the Favour of former Traders to them, for their Honesty and good Service; and were they done with Caution, might be of use to Ships as they succeed in the Trade: Whereas now they contain little Truth, being done out of Humour, and learn them only to beg or steal with more Impudence.
3. The Negrish Language alters a little in sailing, but as they are Strangers to Arts, &c. restrained to a few Words, expressive of their Necessities: This I think, because in their Meetings they are not talkative; In their Trading the same Sound comes up often; and their Songs, a Repetition of six Words a hundred times.
Some Negrish Words.
Malafia, }
Govina, } Ivory.
Malembenda, Rice.
Cockracoo, Fowl.
Praam, Good.
Nino, Sleep.
Sam sam, all one.
Acquidera, Agreed.
Oura, Very well.
Tomy, Arse-clout.
Dashee, a Present.
Kickatavoo, Killed, or Dead.
Tossu, Be gone.
Yarra, Sick.
Fabra, Come.
Brinnee, White Man.
Bovinee, Black Man.
Soquebah, Gone, lost.
Tongo, Man’s Privities.
Bombo, Woman’s.
Lastly, the Dress common to both Sexes every where, is the Tomy, or Arse-clout, and the pleating or breading of their Wooll. The Arse-clout the Women tie about their Hips, and falls half way down their Thigh all round; but the Men bring it under their Twist, and fasten just upon the girdling part behind. Both take great delight in twisting the Wool of their Heads into Ringlets, with Gold or Stones, and bestow a great deal of Time and Genius in it.
The Women are fondest of what they call Fetishing, setting themselves out to attract the good Graces of the Men. They carry a Streak round their Foreheads, of white, red, or yellow Wash, which being thin, falls in lines before it dries. Others make Circles with it, round the Arms and Bodies, and in this frightful Figure, please. The Men, on the other side, have their Ornaments consist in Bracelets; or Manilla’s, about their Wrists and Ancles, of Brass, Copper, Pewter, or Ivory; the same again on their Fingers and Toes: a Necklace of Monkey’s Teeth, Ivory Sticks in their Ears, with a broad head. Most of them have one, two, or more of these Ornaments, and have an Emulation in the number and use of them.
When the Nakedness, Poverty and Ignorance of these Species of Men are considered; it would incline one to think it a bettering their Condition, to transport them to the worst of Christian Slavery; but as we find them little mended in those respects at the West-Indies, their Patrons respecting them only as Beasts of Burthen; there is rather Inhumanity in removing them from their Countries and Families; here they get Ease with their spare Diet; the Woods, the Fruits, the Rivers, and Forests, with what they produce, is equally the property of all. By Transfretation they get the brown Bread, without the Gospel: together, as Mr. Baxter observed, they might be good Fare, but hard Work and Stripes without it, must be allowed an unpleasant Change. They are fed, it’s true, but with the same Diet and Design we do Horses; and what is an aggravating Circumstance, they have a Property in nothing, not even in their Wives and Children. No wonder then, Men under this View, or worse Apprehensions, should be prompted with Opportunity frequently to sacrifice the Instruments of it.