Gradation of Shades between Europe & Africa.

London, Published Decr. 1st, 1791, by J. Johnson, St. Paul’s Church Yard.

The two columns E and F are supposed to be first engaged, where No 1 in the column E commences the attack by firing at random in the opposite bushes; and instantly retires, by shifting his place to No 1 in the column C, where he re-loads; while No 2 in the column F, having fired at the flash of his pan, advances in the same manner, shifting his station to re-load at No 2 in the column D; and at the flash of whose pan No 3 fires in E, and receives the fire of No 4 in F, &c. &c. Thus continuing through both lines, till No 8 has fired in F, [[99]]when the whole have shifted their stations; and the same manœuvre is continued with the columns C and D, beginning again with the identical numbers 1, 2, 3, &c. at the top; while these lines, having shifted their places, still the firing is repeated by the lines A and B, and thus ad infinitum, until by sounding the horn one of the parties gives way in flight, and the battle is over. I shall only add, that when the forest is thick, instead of lying on their bellies, or kneeling, each negro skulks behind a thick tree, which serves him as a bulwark, and from which he fires at his adversary with more certainty and less danger, usually resting his piece against the trunk, or in the forked branches, like the Shawanese and Delaware Indians.

Captain Hannibal also informed me, that the famous chief Bonny was supposed to be in person amongst the neighbouring rebels; and that he was born in the forest amongst them, notwithstanding his being a mulatto, which was accounted for by his mother escaping to the woods from the ill treatment of her master, by whom she was then pregnant.

Having frequently mentioned the different shades between a black and a white, the same plate represents them to the reader at one view. From the above two colours the mulatto is produced; from the mulatto and black, the samboo; from the mulatto and white, the quaderoon, &c. &c.—This sable warrior made me also acquainted with the names of several other rebel commanders, [[100]]against whom he had frequently fought for the Europeans. Such as Quammy, who was the chief of a separate gang, and had no connection with the others; Coromantyn, Cojo, Arico, and Joli-Cœur; the two last being celebrated captains, whose revenge was insatiable against the whites, particularly Joli-Cœur’s, who had I confess great reason, as has been already stated. The noted rebel negro Baron, he believed, was now serving also under the great chief Bonny.

He next proceeded to tell me the names of the principal rebel settlements, some of which were already destroyed, some now in view, and some of these were only known to us by name. These appellations were all very expressive indeed; and as they may serve in some measure to elucidate our enquiries concerning the negro nations, I have thought proper to give them a place in this narrative, with their meaning in an English translation; viz.

Boucoo I shall moulder before I shall be taken.
Gado Saby God only knows me, and none else.
Cofaay Come try me, if you be men.
Tessee See Take a tasting, if you like it.
Mele me Do disturb me, if you dare.
Boosy Cray The woods lament for me.
Me Salasy I shall be taken.
Kebree me Hide me, O thou surrounding verdure.

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The others were:

Quammi Condre From Quammi, the name of the chief.
Pinenburgh From the pines or manicole-trees which formerly surrounded it.
Caro Condre From the quantity of maize it afforded.
Reisee Condre From the quantity of rice it produced.