By Guinea here, I mean all Negro-land, from about the River Senega Northward, to within a few Degrees of Cape Bon Esperance; because Ships bound to any part of this Extent, are said to be bound to Guinea; and because the People, without these Lines, alter to a dark Colour seen in the Moors at this, and the Hottentots at the other Extremity. The Name (Gordon says) imports hot and dry, and its Gold gives Name to our Coin.
The black Colour, and woolly Tegument of these Guineans; is what first obtrudes it self on our Observation, and distinguishes them from the rest of Mankind, who no where else, in the warmest Latitudes, are seen thus totally changed; nor removing, will they ever alter, without mixing in Generation. I have taken notice in my Navy-Surgeon, how difficultly the Colour is accounted for; and tho’ it be a little Heterodox, I am persuaded the black and white Race have, ab origine, sprung from different-coloured first Parents.
When we parted with the Weymouth off Cape de Verd, we steered S. S. W. to avoid the Shoals of Grandee, and in hawling in for the Land again, waited till we came into the Latitude of Sierraleon, some others laying on the N. Side that River. The Soundings in with the Cape are gradual, from 60 Fathoms about 12 Leagues off, to 13; when we get in sight of Cape Sierraleon, known by a single Tree much larger than the rest, and high land on the back of it. We run up on the Starboard side of the River, anchoring in the third Bay from the Cape; where is very commodious watering and wooding; and regular Tides, as in any part of the Channel of England.
Remark 1. The Trade for our African Company here, is carried on from Bense or Brent Island, about 5 Leagues distance from our Anchorage, by Factors, of whom Mr. Plunket is chief. The private Traders are about 30 in number, settled on the Starboard side of the River: loose privateering Blades, that if they cannot trade fairly with the Natives, will rob; but then don’t do it so much in pursuance of that trading Advice, (Amass Riches, my Son,) as to put themselves in a Capacity of living well, and treating their Friends, being always well pleased if they can keep their Stock at Par, and with their Profits purchase from time to time, Strong-beer, Wine, Cyder, and such Necessaries, of Bristol Ships, that more frequently than others put in there; of these, John Leadstine, commonly called old Cracker, is reckoned the most thriving.
They all keep Gromettas (Negro Servants) which they hire from Sherbro River, at two Accys or Bars a Month. The Women keep House, and are obedient to any Prostitutions their Masters command. The Men-servants work in the Boats and Periagoes, which go a trading in turns with Coral, Brass, Pewter Pans, Pots, Arms, English Spirits, &c. and bring back from the Rio Nunes, Slaves, and Teeth; and from Sherbro, Camwood for Dyers; a Sloop or two is the most that is loaded from the latter Place in a Year, and that with difficulty; being obliged to go far up the River, narrow and beset with Mangroves, which makes it sickly.
The Ivory here is of the Elephant or Sea-Horse, great and small; the former, sold at about 40 Accys per Quintal in Exchange; the other at half Price.
The Slaves when brought here, have Chains put on, three or four linked together, under the Care of their Gromettas, till Opportunity of Sale; and then go at about 15 Pounds a good Slave, allowing the Buyer 40 or 50 per Ct. Advance on his Goods.
As these Slaves are placed under Lodges near the Owner’s House, for Air, Cleanliness, and Customers better viewing them, I had every day the Curiosity of observing their Behaviour, which with most of them was very dejected. Once, on looking over some of old Cracker’s Slaves, I could not help taking notice of one Fellow among the rest, of a tall, strong Make, and bold, stern aspect. As he imagined we were viewing them with a design to buy, he seemed to disdain his Fellow-Slaves for their Readiness to be examined, and as it were scorned looking at us, refusing to rise or stretch out his Limbs, as the Master commanded; which got him an unmerciful Whipping from Cracker’s own Hand, with a cutting Manatea Strap, and had certainly killed him but for the loss he himself must sustain by it; all which the Negro bore with Magnanimity, shrinking very little, and shedding a Tear or two, which he endeavoured to hide as tho’ ashamed of. All the Company grew curious at his Courage, and wanted to know of Cracker, how he came by him; who told us, that this same Fellow, called Captain Tomba, was a Leader of some Country Villages that opposed them, and their Trade, at the River Nunes; killing our Friends there, and firing their Cottages. The Sufferers this way, by the Help of my Men, (says Cracker) surprized, and bound him in the Night, about a Month ago, he having killed two in his Defence, before they could secure him, and from thence he was brought hither, and made my Property.