On the Ships he lays these Impositions, and to prove his Folly, does it mostly for the benefit of those that rule him; First, of having the Refusal of all Goods; Secondly, the Value of twenty Slaves from every Ship, small or great, as a Duty; and Thirdly, forces his own upon them at an advanced Price.
The French, Dutch, and English, have each a House, or mud Fort, about three Miles from the Sea, keeping Tents at the Beach for the convenient receiving and securing their Cargoes as it comes from the Ship, and transmitting the Returns; which, by a dangerous double Barr upon the Coast, is rendred impassable sometimes (by the alteration of the Winds) for a fortnight together; the Negroes only know how to paddle thro’ it, and when they think it safe, a Signal is made to the Ships, from those Tents, by hoisting their Flags.
The chief of either Factory that gets first on board any Ship coming into the Road, has a right to serve her with Boats and Servants, and has a Due of seven Slaves for it.
The Commanders, with their Surgeons, (as skilled in the Choice of Slaves) attend the whole time on shore, where they purchase, in what they call a fair open Market.
The Mates reside on board, receiving from time to time their Master’s Directions as to the Goods wanted, and to prepare the Ship for the Reception and Security of the Slaves sent him; where this is a Rule always observed, to keep the Males apart from the Women and Children, to handcuff the former; Bristol Ships triple such as are sturdy, with Chains round their Necks; and to keep your own Men sober, and on a barricado’d Quarter-deck: tho’ the natural Cowardice of these Creatures, and no other Prospect upon rising, but falling into the hands of the same Rogues that sold them, very much lessens the Danger: Nevertheless, it is adviseable at all times, to have a diligent Watch on their Actions, yet (abating their Fetters) to treat them with all Gentleness and Civility.
At Angola, the first Man is the King, the second, Mabuca, third, Mafucar, fourth, Machangee, fifth, Captain More, and the sixth, Madam Barsse; Names expressive of some [34]Virtue; and where they chuse a white Man’s, (common at many parts of the Coast) it is from the Qualities they admire in such, and strive to imitate.
Here they force about twenty Servants, which the Ship is obliged to pay, after the rate of six Fathom of Guinea Cloth per month, and every Sunday Morning, two Knives to each of them.—Their Business is to attend every Morning, and carry up your Goods safe to the Factory, where others take the Charge, and are accountable for all Losses.
The Bum-boy again supervises the Slaves, to do justice between Buyer and Seller, and by the Custom or Law of the Country, the Ship is to stand charged with neither them or other Effects, till delivered into the Boat. However, considering what are their Courts of Justice, it will behove all Masters to have a diligent Inspection upon the Slaves themselves, and to keep good Locks and Bolts upon their Goods: for it is here, as at Whydah, the commonest People, who cannot arrive at, or forbid Trade, are all Thieves and Beggars, the King and Courtiers chief, but openly more honest, because they get more by it.
Your Gold-takers are, Peter Griffin, (the King’s Brother-in-law) Thomas Boon, and John Brown. Sometimes Ships settle an Agency at Mumbalar, or other neighbouring Place, and get considerable Trade; I have known 70 Slaves purchased there in a Month, with the additional Duty of six Pieces, and giving to the Servants who fetched up the Goods, each a single Annabass, a bundle of Beads, three Knives, and a Dram: with all, let your Agreements be as positive as possible, for they are very difficultly kept to their Words.