As soon as I had finished my Affairs with these People, I waited on the Lord of Jaqueen, and told him, “That having compleated my Ship’s Cargoe of Negroes, I design’d to go on board in two days time, desiring he would be pleased to pay me the ballance of an account that was between us.” This he readily promised, but never performed it. Moreover, the next day, having paid his Brother the rest of the Customs, and my Servants their Wages, my Store-house was soon after plundered in a violent manner: But, by good fortune, there were in it, only things of small value. I complained of this Usage, but had no Redress. However, I did not think proper to threaten, as I had formerly done, “That I would inform the King of Dahomè of it;” but quietly putting up the Affront, I went to the Sea side the next day, where I was obliged to lie all night in our Tent, because the Sea ran high on the Shore; but the next morning it being calmer, I got on board to my great Satisfaction, having, through the goodness of Providence, compleated my Affairs, much beyond my Expedition, considering I had so melancholy a Prospect, when I first came to this Country.
The first of July 1727, we sailed from the Road of Jaqueen, having on board above 600 Negroes. I had a tedious Passage to the West-Indies of seventeen Weeks, which obliged us to stop at several places for Water and Provision. But at length we arrived at Antegoa, where the Cargo of Negroes (who had stood very well) came to a good Market: And having lain there for a Cargo of Sugars, we sailed from thence the latter end of February, and got safe into the River of Thames, the 25th of April 1728, having been sixteen Months on this remarkable Voyage.
A
SUPPLEMENT,
Containing an Account of what happened to the King and People of Whidaw, and the Dahomes, since I came away from thence, to the Time of my return thither in the Month of February 1729-30. All which I was informed of, by some white Gentlemen of good Credit, who resided at Jaqueen all the Time I was absent.
UPON my coming to England, being in a bad State of Health, I desired leave of my Owner to stay at home a Season, which he was pleased to grant me; and appointed Captain John Dagge to command the Ship I had been in. He made a successful Voyage, and returned with her in the Month of August 1729: As I was by that time very well recovered, my Owner was pleased to send me again to the Coast of Guinea in the Katherine Galley. Having therefore spent some time on the Windward and Gold Coast, I proceeded for Whidaw. In my way to that place I stop’d at Great Popoe, which lies a few Leagues to the Windward of Whidaw. Being informed there, that the late King of Whidaw was near that place, with Captain Ossue, one of his principal Cabociers or Lords, on two barren sandy Islands, with many other People, I sent my first Mate on Shore with a Present to each of them. He returned at night, with some of the King’s People, who brought me a Goat from him: Saying, “Their Master being in a poor Condition, had nothing better to send me.” And they having bought some few things, I sent them on Shore again. After they were gone, my Mate gave me the following account, “That the King and Captain Ossue, had with them many Thousands of People who lived in a miserable manner, the Islands they were on being so barren, that they produced nothing: But by means of the River which separated them from the Continent, they were very well secured from the Dahomes Power; who not understanding the Management of Cannoes, could not invade them. Moreover, they had planted several great Guns, which secured the Passes, so that they were in no fear of the Enemies. But then, on the other hand, they could not sow Corn, or other Pulse in that barren place, but were supplied with what they wanted by their Neighbours of Great and Little Popoe. However, this constantly decreased their Numbers, they being obliged to sell their Wives, Children, and Servants for Provisions and other necessaries, because they had no Money left.”
From Great Popoe I went to the Road of Whidaw, where being informed there was little Trade, I proceeded for Jaqueen, which is seven Leagues to the Eastward of it; and anchored in that road the 20th of February 1729-30: At my going on Shore there, the King of Dahomè’s Agent came to see me; and upon my enquiring after his Master’s welfare, he told me, “He would send a Messenger to inform his Majesty of my Arrival: But as the King was then in his own Country, far inland, it would be at least twenty days before he could have an Answer.” At his taking leave, he promised to let me know his Master’s Pleasure on the return of the Messenger. Accordingly he came to see me again, about three weeks after his former visit, and told me, “The King was very glad to hear of my being once more arrived at Jaqueen; but as he was then far within Land, tho’ he was desirous of seeing me again, yet he could not in reason require it: His Master being sensible, such a long Journey would be neither safe for my Health, nor suitable to my Business; but in case the King came to Ardra, whilst I was at Jaqueen, which is but two days journey off, and where I had formerly been with his Majesty, he should be very glad to see me there once more.” However, this not happening, I had not the Fortune to see the King a second time.
I now come to relate what I heard from several white Gentlemen residing at Jaqueen, ever since my former Voyage, concerning the Whidaws and the Dahomes. The King of Whidaw, with abundance of his People, having fled to the Islands formerly mentioned, the King of Dahomè was disappointed in his design of destroying him, as he had always intended. So that he contented himself with keeping Possession of the Country of Whidaw, by an Army encamp’d at Sabee, which had been the principal place of the Kingdom, till destroyed by him. But in time this Army being much diminished, it incouraged Captain Ossue to leave the Islands, and settle himself, with many of his People, near the French Fort, which is about four Miles from Sabee; believing the great Guns therein would be a sufficient Protection from the Dahomes, in case they should offer to disturb him. This Fort had a dry Ditch, with mud Walls made of the Earth that was dug out of it; and was a square place with Towers at each Corner, on which were mounted several Cannons; and their Lodgings, Storehouses, and even their Magazine of Gunpowder, were covered with Rushes, according to the Custom of that Country; which occasioned a terrible Misfortune, as shall be immediately related.
The King of Dahomè being informed of Captain Ossue’s return into his Country, resolved to send an Army to drive him out; which the other having notice of, retired with many of his People into the French Fort: Ossue little thinking at that time, that the Governor was the occasion of his Enemies coming in order to betray them.