University of Virginia Library

The Slave trade was prosecuted very successfully
whilst I was at Havana. Numbers of fast
sailing vessels were constantly fitting out for the
coast of Africa & several Cargoes of the horrible
merchandize arrived. The slaves were taken
out & carried to houses constructed expressly for them what were called the barracoons
just without the walls of the city where they
are well treated until restored to health & spirits.

A public date is then made the terms of which
are that the highest bidders have successively a
choice amongst the whole Cargo.

The poor wretches are almost constantly dancing
to a drum with the dreadful sound of which they mingle
their wild yells. I saw the remnant of a
cargo which consisted of such as were too sick or feeble
to work. Many of them were mere skeletons, the
most miserable objects that can be immagined . Some
particular nations were distinguished by marks, such as
having one or two some of the front teeth knocked out — a large
scar over the whole forehead too .

A prime slave is a boy under & near 20 years of age.
They arehe is then more tractable & learns to work with less trouble.
The Men are frequently Stubborn & stupid & are quite
apt to commit suicide. Four hundred dollars
was about the highest price that was paid for them.

During my stay a brig returned from the coast
without a cargo the whole stock which she carried out
having been seized & held by one of the African cheifs
who in retaliation for the loss of some of his soldiers
who had been stolen from him & carried as slaves to Hava.

He sent ambassadors by the Brig to the governor to make
a representation of the affair & to offer to restore the Merchandize
he had seized as soon as his subjects were given up.

The Spaniards appear to be fond of public spec
-tacles & amusements. I saw several religious processions
one at Easter when an image of our Saviour was
carried laid on a bed was carried thro the streets with
a long train of preists & monks after it. The Virgin