[Contents]CHAP. XXVII.The Rape of the Sabines—Shocking Execution, and African Fortitude—Description of an Indigo Plantation—The Spanso Bocko, a Punishment—The Troops again re-enter the Woods—The Expedition draws to a Conclusion.Notwithstanding the successive defeats and repeated distresses of the rebels, news was brought to Paramaribo, on the 12th of August, that they had fallen upon the estateBergendal, or theBlue Bergh, which is also called MountParnassus, situated in the higher parts of the River Surinam, and carried away all the black women, although a military post was stationed near the above place, but without committing any kind of cruelty, as too generally had been their custom. Upon this intelligence a party of the rangers was instantly detached thither to assist in pursuing them; and about this same time the long-projectedcordon, or path of circumvallation round the colony, was also began to be cut, by seven hundred negro slaves; which path was henceforth to be manned with military piquets at proper distances, to defend the estates against any farther invasions from without, and to prevent desertion to the enemy from within.Mount Parnassus, which was the scene of the laterape of the Sabines, is situated on the west side of the River[292]Surinam, distant from Paramaribo, if we include the windings of the river, above one hundred miles; and as the situation is pleasant, I present the reader with a view of it, in the plate annexed, as also of the village, called theJews Savannah, which is distant from town, in a straight line, something more than forty, but by water above sixty English miles. Here the Jews have a beautiful synagogue, and keep their solemn fasts and festivals; here they also have their capital schools and seminaries, for at this village reside some very respectable Jewish families. These people possess particular rights and privileges in this colony, with which they were endowed by King Charles the Second, when the settlement of Surinam was English; and such are these privileges I never knew Jews to possess in any other part of the world whatever.From Paramaribo, or rather from the fortress New Amsterdam, the River Surinam, like those of Cottica and Comawina, is beautifully bordered with sugar and coffee plantations, as are also several creeks or small rivers that communicate with it; such as thePawlus, thePara, theCropina, and thePararaccreeks; but above Mount Parnassus not a single estate, that may be so called, is to be found; neither is the river any longer navigable, even for small craft, on account of the prodigious rocks, and cascades or water-falls, with which it is obstructed as it winds through excessively high mountains and an impenetrable forest. While therefore they form an enchantingly romantic scene to the eye, these natural bulwarks[293]prevent the possessors of the colony from making such discoveries as might perhaps reward their labour with very considerable riches.View of the Settlement called the Jew’s Savannah.View of the Settlement called the Jew’s Savannah.View of the Blue Bergh called Mount Parnassus.London, Published Decr. 1st, 1791, by J. Johnson, St. Paul’s Church Yard.If, as I have just mentioned, cruelties were become less common in the rivers by the rebels, barbarities still continued in a shocking degree in the metropolis; where my ears were deafened with the clang of the whip, and the shrieks of the negroes. Among the most eminent of these tyrants was a Miss Sp—n, who lived next door to Mr. de Graav, and who I saw with horror from my window give orders that a young black woman should be flogged principally across the breasts, at which she seemed to enjoy peculiar satisfaction. To dissipate the impression this scene had left on my mind, I got into a whiskey, and rode out; when the first thing I saw was a negro girl fall naked from a garret window on a heap of broken bottles: this was indeed an accident, but she was so mangled, though not dead, that she exhibited a spectacle nearly as wretched as the other.—Cursing my unlucky fate, I turned the horses, and drove to the beach, as the only place to avoid every scene of cruelty and misery; but here I had the mortification to see two Philadelphia sailors (while they were fighting on the forecastle of their vessel) both fall over the ship’s bow into the stream, where they sunk, and were no more seen. On board another American brig, I discovered a little tar defending himself from the cross-trees with a hatchet, against a serjeant and four armed men, for a considerable time; till they threatening[294]to shoot him out of the rigging, he at last surrendered, and being brought ashore, was dragged to fort Zelandia, in company with two others, by a file of musketeers, where, for having been drunk on duty, they received afire-canteach, at the captain’s request; that is, they were bastinadoed or beaten on the shoulders by two corporals with bamboo canes, till their backs were black, and swelled like a cushion. However arbitrary this mode of correction, the captain endeavoured to explain the necessity of it; the private American sailors being of a turbulent spirit indeed when drunk, although when sober they may be fairly classed among the best seamen in the world.Early the next morning, while musing on all the different dangers and chastisements to which the lower class of people are exposed, I heard a crowd pass under my window. Curiosity made me start up, dress in a hurry, and follow them: when I discovered three negroes in chains, surrounded by a guard, going to be executed in the savannah. Their undaunted look, however averse I may be to the sight of cruelties, so attracted my attention, as to determine me to see the result, which was thus:—The sentence being read in Low Dutch (which they did not understand) one was condemned to be flogged below the gallows, and his accomplice to have his head struck off with an ax, for having shot a slave who had come to steal plantains on the estate of his mistress. The truth however was, that this had been done by that lady’s absolute command; but the murder being[295]discovered, she, in the hopes of saving her character, besides the expence of paying the penalties, gave up her valuable slave, and permitted the unhappy man to be thus sacrificed. He laid his head upon the block with great indifference, stretching out his neck; when, with one blow of the ax, it was severed from his body.The third negro, whose name wasNeptune, was no slave, but his own master, and a carpenter by trade; he was young and handsome, but having killed the overseer of the estateAltona, in the Para Creek, in consequence of some dispute, hejustlyforfeited his life. The particulars, however, are worth relating: This man having stolen a sheep, to entertain a favourite young woman, the overseer, who burnt with jealousy, had determined to see him hanged; to prevent which, the negro shot him dead among the sugar-canes; for these offences of course he was sentenced to bebroken alive upon the rack, without the benefit of thecoup de graceor mercy-stroke. Informed of the dreadful sentence, he composedly laid himself down on his back on a strong cross, on which, with arms and legs expanded, he was fastened by ropes: the executioner, also a black man, having now with a hatchet chopped off his left hand, next took up a heavy iron bar, with which, by repeated blows, he broke his bones to shivers, till the marrow, blood, and splinters flew about the field; but the prisoner never uttered a groan nor a sigh. The ropes being next unlashed, I imagined him dead, and felt happy; till the magistrates[296]stirring to depart, he writhed himself from the cross, when he fell on the grass, and damned them all, as a set of barbarous rascals; at the same time removing his right hand by the help of his teeth, he rested his head on part of the timber, and asked the by-standers for a pipe of tobacco, which was infamously answered by kicking and spitting on him; till I, with some American seamen, thought proper to prevent it. He then begged that his head might be chopped off; but to no purpose. At last, seeing no end to his misery, he declared, “that though he had deserved death, he had not expected to die so many deaths: however, (said he) you christians have missed your aim at last, and I now care not, were I to remain thus one month longer.” After which he sung two extempore songs (with a clear voice) the subjects of which were, to bid adieu to his living friends, and to acquaint his deceased relations that in a very little time he should be with them, to enjoy their company for ever in a better place. This done, he calmly entered into conversation with some gentlemen concerning his trial; relating every particular with uncommon tranquillity—“But,” said he abruptly, “by the sun it must be eight o’clock; and by any longer discourse I should be sorry to be the cause of your losing your breakfast.” Then, casting his eyes on a Jew, whose name wasDe Vries, “A-propos, sir,” said he, “won’t you please to pay me the ten shillings you owe me?”—“For what to do?”—“To buy meat and drink, to be sure—don’t you perceive I am[297]to be kept alive?” Which speech, on seeing the Jew stare like a fool, this mangled wretch accompanied with a loud and hearty laugh. Next, observing the soldier that stood sentinel over him biting occasionally on a piece of dry bread, he asked him “how it came to pass, that he, awhite man, should have no meat to eat along with it?”—“Because I am not so rich,” answered the soldier.—“Then I will make you a present, sir,” said the negro; “first, pick my hand that was chopped off clean to the bones, next begin to devour my body, till you are glutted; when you will have both bread and meat, as best becomes you;”—which piece of humour was followed by a second laugh; and thus he continued, until I left him, which was about three hours after the dreadful execution.The Execution of Breaking on the Rack.The Execution of Breaking on the Rack.London, Published Decr. 2d, 1793, by J. Johnson, St. Paul’s Church Yard.Wonderful it is indeed, that human nature should be able to endure so much torture, which assuredly could only be supported by a mixture of rage, contempt, pride, and the glory of braving his tormentors, from whom he was so soon to escape1.Though I never recal to my remembrance, without the most painful sensation, this horrid scene, which must revolt the feelings of all who have one spark of humanity, I cannot forbear exhibiting to the public the dreadful spectacle in the annexed drawing. If the reader,[298]however, should be offended with this shocking exhibition, and my dwelling so long on this unpleasant subject, let it be some relief to his reflection, to consider this punishment not inflicted as a wanton and unprovoked act of cruelty, but as the extreme severity of the Surinam laws, on a desperate wretch, suffering as an example to others for complicated crimes; while at the same time it cannot but give me, and I hope many others, some consolation to reflect that the above barbarous mode of punishment was hitherto never put in practice in the British colonies.I must now relate an incident, which, as it had a momentary effect on my imagination, might have had a lasting one on some who had not investigated the real cause of it, and which it gave me no small satisfaction to discover. About three in the afternoon, walking towards the place of execution, with my thoughts full of the affecting scene, and the image of the sufferer fresh in my mind, the first object I saw was his head at some distance, placed on a stake,noddingto me backwards and forwards, as if he had really been alive. I instantly stopped short, and seeing no person in the savannah, nor a breath of wind sufficient to move a leaf or a feather, I acknowledge that I was rivetted to the ground, where I stood without having the resolution of advancing one step for some time; till reflecting that I must be weak indeed not to approach this dead skull, and find out the wonderful phenomenon, if possible, I boldly walked up, and instantly discovered the natural cause, by the return of avultureto the gallows,[299]who perched upon it, as if he meant to dispute with me for this feast of carrion; which bird, having already picked out one of the eyes, had fled at my first approach, and striking the skull with his talons, as he took his sudden flight, occasioned the motion already described. I shall now only add, that this poor wretch, after living near six hours, had been knocked on the head by the commiserating sentinel, the marks of whose musket were perfectly visible by a large open fracture in the skull.Vulturesare compared by some to the eagle, though those of Surinam possess very opposite qualities. They are indeed birds of prey, but instead of feeding on what they kill, like the other noble animal, their chief pursuit is carrion; wherefore they generally resort to burial-grounds and places of execution, which they discover by their very acute smell, so much so, that by the negroes they are calledtingee-fowlo, or the stinking bird. The Guiana vultures are the size of a common turkey; they are of a dark-grey colour, with black wings and tail; the bill is straight with a crooked point, and very strong; the tongue is cloven, the neck without feathers, and the legs very short. Besides carrion, these birds will often destroy and eat serpents, and indeed every thing that comes in their way, until they are so much gorged that they can hardly fly.The bird called theking of the vulturesis not very common in Surinam, though sometimes the Indians bring one or two to Paramaribo for sale, on account of its great[300]beauty. This is larger than any turkey-cock, with a naked head and neck, the skin of which is partly brown, yellow, and scarlet: round its neck it has a dusky, long, feathered collar, in which it can at pleasure withdraw, and so far hide its neck, that nothing but part of the head is perceptible. This bird likewise feeds on carrion, serpents, rats, toads, and even excrements.Among the other birds of prey in the forest of Surinam, is found thecrested eagle. This is a very fierce bird, and also very strong; the back is black, but yellowish at the base; the breast and belly white, with black spots, as are its thighs, and even the feathers of its legs; the rest of the body is entirely brown, and the claws perfectly yellow. The head of this bird is flat, ornamented with four feathers, two long and two short, which it can erect or depress at pleasure.About this time theHind, an English frigate, with her tender, were on the coast, looking out for American prizes.The 24th, being the Prince of Orange’s birth-day, the whole corps of officers were entertained with salt beef, salt pork, barley puddings, and hard pease, by Colonel Fourgeoud. And this day (poor Joanna being inflexible in her resolutions) I ratified the agreement with the good Mrs. Godefroy, in presence of her mother and other relations, whereby the above lady bound herself “never to part with her, except to myself alone, as long as she lived; and that upon her death, not only her full liberty,[301]but a spot of ground for cultivation, besides a neat house built upon it, should be her portion for ever, to dispose of as she pleased.” After this she returned my remaining bond of 900 florins, and gave Joanna a purse with gold containing near twenty ducats, besides a couple of pieces of East India chintz, advising me at the same time “to give in a request to the court for little Johnny’s immediate manumission; which,” she observed, “was a necessary form, whether I should be able to obtain the bail usually required or not; and without which formality, even if I had the bail ready to appear, nothing would be done in the course of business.”Having both of us thanked this most excellent woman, I went to sup with the Governor, where being transported with joy, I gave him my request in full form, which he coolly put in his pocket with one hand, while he gave me a hearty squeeze with the other; and shaking his head, told me frankly, “that he would lay it before the court; but at the same time was perfectly convinced my boy must die a slave, unless I could find the necessary bail, which he was at the same time well persuaded very few people would wish to appear for.” Thus, after spending so much time and labour, besides the expence of above a hundred guineas already paid, I had still the inexpressible mortification to see this dear little fellow, of whom I was both the father and the master, exposed to perhaps eternal servitude; as for Joanna, she was now perfectly safe, to my heartfelt satisfaction.[302]One consolation, however, in the midst of this disappointment, most opportunely presented itself. The famous negro,Graman-Qwacy, formerly mentioned, who was just returned from Holland, brought the news, that partly byhisinterest a new law was there enacted, by which all slaves were to be free six months after their landing at the Texel; which, indeed, on application of their masters, might be extended to twelve, but not a single day longer on any account whatsoever.—Thus being persuaded that I shouldone dayjoyfully carry both him and his mother over the Atlantic, my heart was greatly relieved.Of this Graman-Qwacy I will beg leave to give a short account, before I take farewell of the reader. Suffice it for the present to say, that the Prince of Orange, besides paying his out and homeward passage, and giving him several presents, sent him back to Surinam dressed in a suit of blue and scarlet, trimmed over with broad gold lace: on his hat he wore a white feather, and looked upon the whole not unlike one of the Dutch generals; which goodness made this king of the negroes, however, very proud, and even frequently very saucy.On the 25th, the Governor of the colony gave a very sumptuous feast to several of his friends at hisindigo-plantation, which was situated but a few miles at the back of his palace, where I had the honour to be invited as one of the party, and had the pleasure of inspecting the[303]process of makingindigo, a detail of which will probably be acceptable.In the first place, therefore, I shall present the curious with a drawing of theindigo plant, which is a knotty shrub produced from seed, which grows to about two feet from the ground, and comes to perfection in the space of two months. This plant requires a very rich soil, which besides ought to be kept perfectly clean from weeds. In the plate,Ais the colour of the sprig;B, the leaves above;C, the same below;D, the seed inclosed in small brown pods;E, the size of the leaf as it grows;F, a piece of indigo ready made for use. The above sprig was designed from nature on the spot, but on a small scale: it has something the appearance of the tamarind branch, principally in the size of the leaf, which also grows in pairs, and is darker above than below; but at the extremity of each shoot inthisshrub, one leaf grows single, which is not the case in the other. The young shoot in the tamarind-trees also appears at the extremity of the branches; but in this they spring forth, as may be seen, from the base.The mode in which this plant is converted into indigo is as follows:—When all the verdure is cut off, the whole crop is tied in bunches, and put into a very large tub with water, covered over with very heavy logs of wood by way of pressers: thus kept, it begins to ferment; in less than eighteen hours the water seems to boil, and becomes of a violet or garter blue colour, extracting all the grain or colouring matter from[304]the plant: in this situation the liquor is drawn off into another tub, which is something less, when the remaining trash is carefully picked up and thrown away; and the very noxious smell of this refuse it is that occasions the peculiar unhealthiness which is always incident to this business. Being now in the second tub, the mash is agitated by paddles adapted for the purpose, till by a skilful maceration all the grain separates from the water, the first sinking like mud to the bottom, while the latter appears clear and transparent on the surface: this water, being carefully removed till near the coloured mass, the remaining liquor is drawn off into a third tub, to let what indigoitmay contain also settle in the bottom; after which, the last drops of water here being also removed, the sediment orindigois put into proper vessels to dry, where being divested of its last remaining moisture, and formed into small, round, and oblong square pieces, it is become a beautiful dark blue, and fit for exportation. The best indigo ought to be light, hard, and sparkling. In Surinam but little of it is cultivated, for what reason I know not, since one pound is sold for about four florins, which is about seven shillings in sterling money.Sprig of the Indigo Plant.Sprig of the Indigo Plant.London, Published Decr. 1st, 1791, by J. Johnson, St. Paul’s Church Yard.It is said this article was first introduced by oneDestrades, who called himself a French officer, and must have brought it from the island of St. Domingo very lately, since I myself was well acquainted with this poor fellow, who since shot himself through the head with a pistol at Demerary.—As the circumstances of his[305]death were somewhat remarkable, I cannot resist the temptation of relating them. Having involved himself in debt, he turned to ready money his remaining effects, and fled from Surinam: next setting up in the Spanish contraband trade, his all was taken. Deprived of every thing, he now applied for protection to a friend at Demerary, who humanely gave him shelter: at this time an abscess gathering in his shoulder, every assistance was offered, but in vain, Mr. Destrades refusing to let it be even examined; his shoulder therefore grew worse, and even dangerous, but he persisted in not permitting it to be uncovered; till one day, having dressed himself in his best apparel, the family was alarmed by the report of fire-arms, when they found him weltering in his blood, with a pistol by his side; and then, to their surprize, having stripped him, the mark ofV.forvoleur, or thief, was discovered on the very shoulder he had attempted to conceal.—Thus ended the life of this poor wretch, who had for years at Paramaribo supported the character of a polite and well-bred gentleman, where he had indeed been universally respected.Dinner being over at the Governor’s indigo-plantation, I now departed in his excellency’s coach to the waterside, where a tent-barge and eight oars lay in waiting to row me down to the estateCatwyk, in the River Comewina, whither I was invited by Mr.Goetzee, a Dutch naval officer, who was the proprietor of this beautiful country-seat. In this charming situation, no amusements[306]were wanting. There were carriages, saddle-horses, sail-boats, billiard-tables, &c. all ready for immediate use. But what embittered the pleasure was, the inhuman disposition of Mr. Goetzee’slady, who flogged her negro slaves for every little trifle. For instance, one of the foot-boys, calledJacky, not having rinsed the glasses according to her mind, she ordered him to be whipped the next morning; but the unfortunate youth soon put himself beyond the reach of her resentment: for, having taken farewell of the other negroes on the estate, he went up stairs, laid himself down upon hismaster’sown bed, where, placing the muzzle of a loaded fowling-piece in his mouth, by the help of his toe he drew the trigger, and put an end to his existence. A couple of stout negroes were now sent up to see what was the matter; who, finding the bed all over bespattered with blood and brains, got orders to throw the body out of the window to the dogs, while the master and mistress were so very much alarmed, that they never got the better of it2; nor would any person consent to lie in the same apartment, till I chose it in preference to any other, being assuredly the most pleasant room, and the very best bed, in the house. What added much to the alarm of the family, was the circumstance of a favourite child lying fast asleep in the same apartment where this shocking catastrophe happened. They were, however, relieved from[307]their alarms on this score, by being informed that it had not received the smallest injury.I had not been fourteen days on this plantation, when a female mulatto slave, calledYettee, for having jocosely said “her mistress had some debt as well as herself,” was stripped stark naked, and in a very indecent as well as inhuman manner flogged by two stout negroes before the dwelling-house door (while both her feet were locked to a heavy iron bolt) until hardly any skin was left on her thighs or sides. Five days after this I had the good fortune, however, to get her relieved from the iron-bolt, which was locked across her shins: but a Mrs.Van Eys, alledging she had affronted her also by hersaucylooks, prevailed on Mrs. Goetzee to renew the punishment the same week; when she was actually so cruelly beaten, that I expected she could not have survived it.Disgusted with this barbarity, I left the estate Catwyk, determined never more to return toit: but I still accompanying Mr. Goetzee to visit some of his other plantations from curiosity, in Cottica and Pirica Rivers, at one of these, called theAlia, a new-born female infant was presented me by way of compliment, to give it a name, which I calledCharlotte. But the next morning, during breakfast, seven negroes were here again tied up and flogged, some with acow-skin, which is very terrible.—Hence I made my retreat to the estateSgraven-Hague, and there, meeting a mulatto youth in chains, whose name wasDouglas, I with horror recollected his unhappy father, who had[308]been obliged to leave him a slave, and was now dead. Heartily tired of my excursion, I was now glad to make haste back to Paramaribo; where, as soon as I arrived, the first news I heard was that Colonel Fourgeoud’s French valet-de-chambre, poorMonsieur Laurant, had actually been buried before he was quite dead;—and that, for having been found drunk in an ale-house, no less than thirteen of our men had most severely run the gauntlet, and as many been terribly bastinadoed, the greatest number of which no more saw Europe;—also, that a Quaderoon youth and a Dutch sailor were found murdered on the beach.—I was now proceeding to take a walk on the plain or esplanade, but here I was called in by Mr. St—k—r, who conducting me three stories high: “From this window”(said he)“afew days since, leaped one of my black boys, to escape a gentle flogging; however, having only fainted in consequence of his fall, we soon brought him to life again by a hearty scouring on the ribs, so he did not escape; after which, for having risked himself, that is to say his master’s property, and frightened my wife, she ordered him to be sent to Fort Zelandia, where he received the interest, that is a most confoundedspanso-bocko.”The punishment calledspanso-bockois extremely severe indeed, and is executed in the following manner:—The prisoner’s hands being lashed together, he is laid down on the ground on one side, with his knees thrust between his arms, and these confined by a strong stake,[309]which separates them from his wrists, and is driven perpendicularly into the ground, insomuch that he can no more stir than if he was dead. In this locked position, trussed like a fowl, he is beaten on one side of his breech by a strong negro, with a handful of knotty tamarind branches, till the very flesh is cut away; he is then turned over on the other side, where the same dreadful flagellation is inflicted, till not a bit of skin is left, and the place of execution is dyed with blood: after which the raw lacerated wound is immediately washed with lemon-juice and gun-powder to prevent mortification, and then he is sent home to recover as well as he can.The above cruel and indecent punishment is sometimes repeated at every street in the town of Paramaribo, to men and women indiscriminately, which is a severity absolutely beyond conception; however, it is neverthusinflicted without a condemnation from the court. But a singlespanso-bocko, without regard to age or sex, as I have just mentioned, may be ordered by any proprietor, either at home, or by sending the victim to the fortress, with a note to the public executioner, to whom some trifle in money is paid as a fee of office.I next was addressed by a MonsieurRochetaux, whose Coromantyn cook, having spoiled hisragout, had just cut his own throat to prevent a whipping; and Mr. CharlesReynsdorp’s lately did the same.After these facts, can it be a matter of surprize, that[310]the negro slaves rise up in rebellion against masters who treat them with so very much severity?As I do not recollect that I have described in what manner these insurgents generally attack the estates, I cannot introduce it on a more proper occasion.Having lain during the night lurking in the bushes that surround the estate, they always appear a little before day-break, when unexpectedly falling on and massacring the Europeans, they plunder the dwelling-house, which they next set on fire, and then carry off the negro women, whom they load with the spoil, and treat with the utmost insolence should they make opposition3.And now farewell, I hope, ye wretched objects, who have not made the least conspicuous figure in these bloody pages! for which I should be more ready to apologize to the reader, had I not been induced to make cruelty ashamed of itself, and humanity gain ground: that at last, in some measure, my motive may be crowned with success, I most sincerely wish, abhorring every act of barbarity from the very bottom of my soul.“Why,Christians, rage thine insolence and scorn,Why burst thy vengeance on the wretch forlorn?[311]The cheerless captive, to slow death consign’d,Weigh’d down with chains, in prison glooms confin’d;Of hope bereft,who, by thy minions curs’d,With hunger famish’d, and consum’d with thirst,Without one friend, when Death’s last horror stung,Roll’d the wild eye, and gnaw’d the anguish’d tongue.”I have already stated that on the 24th of August I gave in a hopeless request to the Governor for my boy’s emancipation; and on the 8th of October I saw with equal joy and surprize the following advertisement posted up, “That if any one could give in a lawful objection whyJohn Stedman, a Quaderoon infant, the son of Captain Stedman, should not be presented with the blessing of freedom, such person or persons to appear before January 1st, 1777.”—I no sooner read it, than I ran with the good news to my good friend, Mr. Palmer, who assured me, “that the above was no more than a form, put in practice on the supposition of my producing the bail required, which undoubtedly they expected, from my having so boldly given in my request to the Governor of the colony.”—Without being able to utter one syllable in reply, I retired to the company of Joanna, who, with a smile, bid me “never to despair, that Johnny certainly one day would be free;” nor did she ever fail in giving me some consolation, whatever desperate were my expectations.About this time we were informed, that in the Utrecht paper an impertinentlibelhad appeared against the good[312]Fourgeoud, ridiculing him for his embassy to theOwcaandSeramecanegroes: which gentleman, though he had no assistance from thesealliesto expect, and his troops now melted down almost to nothing, nevertheless scorned to keep those that could stand upon their feet inactive. Thus, having provided the few remaining privates with new cloathes (thefirstthey had received since 1772); besides new sabres, bill-hooks, &c. he sent them all once more up, accompanied only by the subalterns, to be encamped at the mouth of the Cassipore Creek, in the upper parts of the Cottica river; the staff officers and captains being ordered soon to follow: and on the 7th we were treated by our commander, for thefirsttime, with a sirloin of good roast-beef, which, however, was sent him from Amsterdam, prepared as I have already described. At the dessert was a kind of fruit called in Surinampomme de canelle, or cinnamon-apple: it grows on a shrub in most gardens at Paramaribo, and has something the appearance of a young artichoke, being covered with a kind of green scales. The skin of this fruit is half an inch thick, and the pulp like clotted cream mixed with brown sugar: it is very sweet, but not much esteemed by many palates, being rather too luscious; the seeds, which are black, hard, and large, are contained in the pulp or creamy substance.Having now prepared myself once more for actual service, and again received a profusion of wine, spirits, and refreshments of every kind, to carry with me to the[313]woods, from different friends at Paramaribo; I left my dear mulatto and her boy to the care of that excellent woman Mrs. Godefroy, in order the following day to set out on myseventhcampaign, and help, if possible, to compleat that business we had so long and so ardently undertaken, for the safety and welfare of this valuable colony, and itslawfulinhabitants of every denomination; while happily my health and my spirits were at this time once more just as vigorous and as strong, with all my limbs as perfectly sound, as the very first day that I landed, with Colonel Fourgeoud and his regiment of marines, inTerra Firma.[314]1At Demerary, so late as October, 1789, thirty-two wretches were executed in three days, sixteen of whom suffered in the manner just described, with no less fortitude, and without uttering one single complaint.↑2The above unhappy people were poisoned by their slaves about six years after this happened.↑3For minute particulars I cannot do better than refer the curious to Mr.Belknap’s History ofNew Hampshire; where he describes the insurrection of the American Indians, which are almost perfectly similar to those of the African negroes.↑
[Contents]CHAP. XXVII.The Rape of the Sabines—Shocking Execution, and African Fortitude—Description of an Indigo Plantation—The Spanso Bocko, a Punishment—The Troops again re-enter the Woods—The Expedition draws to a Conclusion.Notwithstanding the successive defeats and repeated distresses of the rebels, news was brought to Paramaribo, on the 12th of August, that they had fallen upon the estateBergendal, or theBlue Bergh, which is also called MountParnassus, situated in the higher parts of the River Surinam, and carried away all the black women, although a military post was stationed near the above place, but without committing any kind of cruelty, as too generally had been their custom. Upon this intelligence a party of the rangers was instantly detached thither to assist in pursuing them; and about this same time the long-projectedcordon, or path of circumvallation round the colony, was also began to be cut, by seven hundred negro slaves; which path was henceforth to be manned with military piquets at proper distances, to defend the estates against any farther invasions from without, and to prevent desertion to the enemy from within.Mount Parnassus, which was the scene of the laterape of the Sabines, is situated on the west side of the River[292]Surinam, distant from Paramaribo, if we include the windings of the river, above one hundred miles; and as the situation is pleasant, I present the reader with a view of it, in the plate annexed, as also of the village, called theJews Savannah, which is distant from town, in a straight line, something more than forty, but by water above sixty English miles. Here the Jews have a beautiful synagogue, and keep their solemn fasts and festivals; here they also have their capital schools and seminaries, for at this village reside some very respectable Jewish families. These people possess particular rights and privileges in this colony, with which they were endowed by King Charles the Second, when the settlement of Surinam was English; and such are these privileges I never knew Jews to possess in any other part of the world whatever.From Paramaribo, or rather from the fortress New Amsterdam, the River Surinam, like those of Cottica and Comawina, is beautifully bordered with sugar and coffee plantations, as are also several creeks or small rivers that communicate with it; such as thePawlus, thePara, theCropina, and thePararaccreeks; but above Mount Parnassus not a single estate, that may be so called, is to be found; neither is the river any longer navigable, even for small craft, on account of the prodigious rocks, and cascades or water-falls, with which it is obstructed as it winds through excessively high mountains and an impenetrable forest. While therefore they form an enchantingly romantic scene to the eye, these natural bulwarks[293]prevent the possessors of the colony from making such discoveries as might perhaps reward their labour with very considerable riches.View of the Settlement called the Jew’s Savannah.View of the Settlement called the Jew’s Savannah.View of the Blue Bergh called Mount Parnassus.London, Published Decr. 1st, 1791, by J. Johnson, St. Paul’s Church Yard.If, as I have just mentioned, cruelties were become less common in the rivers by the rebels, barbarities still continued in a shocking degree in the metropolis; where my ears were deafened with the clang of the whip, and the shrieks of the negroes. Among the most eminent of these tyrants was a Miss Sp—n, who lived next door to Mr. de Graav, and who I saw with horror from my window give orders that a young black woman should be flogged principally across the breasts, at which she seemed to enjoy peculiar satisfaction. To dissipate the impression this scene had left on my mind, I got into a whiskey, and rode out; when the first thing I saw was a negro girl fall naked from a garret window on a heap of broken bottles: this was indeed an accident, but she was so mangled, though not dead, that she exhibited a spectacle nearly as wretched as the other.—Cursing my unlucky fate, I turned the horses, and drove to the beach, as the only place to avoid every scene of cruelty and misery; but here I had the mortification to see two Philadelphia sailors (while they were fighting on the forecastle of their vessel) both fall over the ship’s bow into the stream, where they sunk, and were no more seen. On board another American brig, I discovered a little tar defending himself from the cross-trees with a hatchet, against a serjeant and four armed men, for a considerable time; till they threatening[294]to shoot him out of the rigging, he at last surrendered, and being brought ashore, was dragged to fort Zelandia, in company with two others, by a file of musketeers, where, for having been drunk on duty, they received afire-canteach, at the captain’s request; that is, they were bastinadoed or beaten on the shoulders by two corporals with bamboo canes, till their backs were black, and swelled like a cushion. However arbitrary this mode of correction, the captain endeavoured to explain the necessity of it; the private American sailors being of a turbulent spirit indeed when drunk, although when sober they may be fairly classed among the best seamen in the world.Early the next morning, while musing on all the different dangers and chastisements to which the lower class of people are exposed, I heard a crowd pass under my window. Curiosity made me start up, dress in a hurry, and follow them: when I discovered three negroes in chains, surrounded by a guard, going to be executed in the savannah. Their undaunted look, however averse I may be to the sight of cruelties, so attracted my attention, as to determine me to see the result, which was thus:—The sentence being read in Low Dutch (which they did not understand) one was condemned to be flogged below the gallows, and his accomplice to have his head struck off with an ax, for having shot a slave who had come to steal plantains on the estate of his mistress. The truth however was, that this had been done by that lady’s absolute command; but the murder being[295]discovered, she, in the hopes of saving her character, besides the expence of paying the penalties, gave up her valuable slave, and permitted the unhappy man to be thus sacrificed. He laid his head upon the block with great indifference, stretching out his neck; when, with one blow of the ax, it was severed from his body.The third negro, whose name wasNeptune, was no slave, but his own master, and a carpenter by trade; he was young and handsome, but having killed the overseer of the estateAltona, in the Para Creek, in consequence of some dispute, hejustlyforfeited his life. The particulars, however, are worth relating: This man having stolen a sheep, to entertain a favourite young woman, the overseer, who burnt with jealousy, had determined to see him hanged; to prevent which, the negro shot him dead among the sugar-canes; for these offences of course he was sentenced to bebroken alive upon the rack, without the benefit of thecoup de graceor mercy-stroke. Informed of the dreadful sentence, he composedly laid himself down on his back on a strong cross, on which, with arms and legs expanded, he was fastened by ropes: the executioner, also a black man, having now with a hatchet chopped off his left hand, next took up a heavy iron bar, with which, by repeated blows, he broke his bones to shivers, till the marrow, blood, and splinters flew about the field; but the prisoner never uttered a groan nor a sigh. The ropes being next unlashed, I imagined him dead, and felt happy; till the magistrates[296]stirring to depart, he writhed himself from the cross, when he fell on the grass, and damned them all, as a set of barbarous rascals; at the same time removing his right hand by the help of his teeth, he rested his head on part of the timber, and asked the by-standers for a pipe of tobacco, which was infamously answered by kicking and spitting on him; till I, with some American seamen, thought proper to prevent it. He then begged that his head might be chopped off; but to no purpose. At last, seeing no end to his misery, he declared, “that though he had deserved death, he had not expected to die so many deaths: however, (said he) you christians have missed your aim at last, and I now care not, were I to remain thus one month longer.” After which he sung two extempore songs (with a clear voice) the subjects of which were, to bid adieu to his living friends, and to acquaint his deceased relations that in a very little time he should be with them, to enjoy their company for ever in a better place. This done, he calmly entered into conversation with some gentlemen concerning his trial; relating every particular with uncommon tranquillity—“But,” said he abruptly, “by the sun it must be eight o’clock; and by any longer discourse I should be sorry to be the cause of your losing your breakfast.” Then, casting his eyes on a Jew, whose name wasDe Vries, “A-propos, sir,” said he, “won’t you please to pay me the ten shillings you owe me?”—“For what to do?”—“To buy meat and drink, to be sure—don’t you perceive I am[297]to be kept alive?” Which speech, on seeing the Jew stare like a fool, this mangled wretch accompanied with a loud and hearty laugh. Next, observing the soldier that stood sentinel over him biting occasionally on a piece of dry bread, he asked him “how it came to pass, that he, awhite man, should have no meat to eat along with it?”—“Because I am not so rich,” answered the soldier.—“Then I will make you a present, sir,” said the negro; “first, pick my hand that was chopped off clean to the bones, next begin to devour my body, till you are glutted; when you will have both bread and meat, as best becomes you;”—which piece of humour was followed by a second laugh; and thus he continued, until I left him, which was about three hours after the dreadful execution.The Execution of Breaking on the Rack.The Execution of Breaking on the Rack.London, Published Decr. 2d, 1793, by J. Johnson, St. Paul’s Church Yard.Wonderful it is indeed, that human nature should be able to endure so much torture, which assuredly could only be supported by a mixture of rage, contempt, pride, and the glory of braving his tormentors, from whom he was so soon to escape1.Though I never recal to my remembrance, without the most painful sensation, this horrid scene, which must revolt the feelings of all who have one spark of humanity, I cannot forbear exhibiting to the public the dreadful spectacle in the annexed drawing. If the reader,[298]however, should be offended with this shocking exhibition, and my dwelling so long on this unpleasant subject, let it be some relief to his reflection, to consider this punishment not inflicted as a wanton and unprovoked act of cruelty, but as the extreme severity of the Surinam laws, on a desperate wretch, suffering as an example to others for complicated crimes; while at the same time it cannot but give me, and I hope many others, some consolation to reflect that the above barbarous mode of punishment was hitherto never put in practice in the British colonies.I must now relate an incident, which, as it had a momentary effect on my imagination, might have had a lasting one on some who had not investigated the real cause of it, and which it gave me no small satisfaction to discover. About three in the afternoon, walking towards the place of execution, with my thoughts full of the affecting scene, and the image of the sufferer fresh in my mind, the first object I saw was his head at some distance, placed on a stake,noddingto me backwards and forwards, as if he had really been alive. I instantly stopped short, and seeing no person in the savannah, nor a breath of wind sufficient to move a leaf or a feather, I acknowledge that I was rivetted to the ground, where I stood without having the resolution of advancing one step for some time; till reflecting that I must be weak indeed not to approach this dead skull, and find out the wonderful phenomenon, if possible, I boldly walked up, and instantly discovered the natural cause, by the return of avultureto the gallows,[299]who perched upon it, as if he meant to dispute with me for this feast of carrion; which bird, having already picked out one of the eyes, had fled at my first approach, and striking the skull with his talons, as he took his sudden flight, occasioned the motion already described. I shall now only add, that this poor wretch, after living near six hours, had been knocked on the head by the commiserating sentinel, the marks of whose musket were perfectly visible by a large open fracture in the skull.Vulturesare compared by some to the eagle, though those of Surinam possess very opposite qualities. They are indeed birds of prey, but instead of feeding on what they kill, like the other noble animal, their chief pursuit is carrion; wherefore they generally resort to burial-grounds and places of execution, which they discover by their very acute smell, so much so, that by the negroes they are calledtingee-fowlo, or the stinking bird. The Guiana vultures are the size of a common turkey; they are of a dark-grey colour, with black wings and tail; the bill is straight with a crooked point, and very strong; the tongue is cloven, the neck without feathers, and the legs very short. Besides carrion, these birds will often destroy and eat serpents, and indeed every thing that comes in their way, until they are so much gorged that they can hardly fly.The bird called theking of the vulturesis not very common in Surinam, though sometimes the Indians bring one or two to Paramaribo for sale, on account of its great[300]beauty. This is larger than any turkey-cock, with a naked head and neck, the skin of which is partly brown, yellow, and scarlet: round its neck it has a dusky, long, feathered collar, in which it can at pleasure withdraw, and so far hide its neck, that nothing but part of the head is perceptible. This bird likewise feeds on carrion, serpents, rats, toads, and even excrements.Among the other birds of prey in the forest of Surinam, is found thecrested eagle. This is a very fierce bird, and also very strong; the back is black, but yellowish at the base; the breast and belly white, with black spots, as are its thighs, and even the feathers of its legs; the rest of the body is entirely brown, and the claws perfectly yellow. The head of this bird is flat, ornamented with four feathers, two long and two short, which it can erect or depress at pleasure.About this time theHind, an English frigate, with her tender, were on the coast, looking out for American prizes.The 24th, being the Prince of Orange’s birth-day, the whole corps of officers were entertained with salt beef, salt pork, barley puddings, and hard pease, by Colonel Fourgeoud. And this day (poor Joanna being inflexible in her resolutions) I ratified the agreement with the good Mrs. Godefroy, in presence of her mother and other relations, whereby the above lady bound herself “never to part with her, except to myself alone, as long as she lived; and that upon her death, not only her full liberty,[301]but a spot of ground for cultivation, besides a neat house built upon it, should be her portion for ever, to dispose of as she pleased.” After this she returned my remaining bond of 900 florins, and gave Joanna a purse with gold containing near twenty ducats, besides a couple of pieces of East India chintz, advising me at the same time “to give in a request to the court for little Johnny’s immediate manumission; which,” she observed, “was a necessary form, whether I should be able to obtain the bail usually required or not; and without which formality, even if I had the bail ready to appear, nothing would be done in the course of business.”Having both of us thanked this most excellent woman, I went to sup with the Governor, where being transported with joy, I gave him my request in full form, which he coolly put in his pocket with one hand, while he gave me a hearty squeeze with the other; and shaking his head, told me frankly, “that he would lay it before the court; but at the same time was perfectly convinced my boy must die a slave, unless I could find the necessary bail, which he was at the same time well persuaded very few people would wish to appear for.” Thus, after spending so much time and labour, besides the expence of above a hundred guineas already paid, I had still the inexpressible mortification to see this dear little fellow, of whom I was both the father and the master, exposed to perhaps eternal servitude; as for Joanna, she was now perfectly safe, to my heartfelt satisfaction.[302]One consolation, however, in the midst of this disappointment, most opportunely presented itself. The famous negro,Graman-Qwacy, formerly mentioned, who was just returned from Holland, brought the news, that partly byhisinterest a new law was there enacted, by which all slaves were to be free six months after their landing at the Texel; which, indeed, on application of their masters, might be extended to twelve, but not a single day longer on any account whatsoever.—Thus being persuaded that I shouldone dayjoyfully carry both him and his mother over the Atlantic, my heart was greatly relieved.Of this Graman-Qwacy I will beg leave to give a short account, before I take farewell of the reader. Suffice it for the present to say, that the Prince of Orange, besides paying his out and homeward passage, and giving him several presents, sent him back to Surinam dressed in a suit of blue and scarlet, trimmed over with broad gold lace: on his hat he wore a white feather, and looked upon the whole not unlike one of the Dutch generals; which goodness made this king of the negroes, however, very proud, and even frequently very saucy.On the 25th, the Governor of the colony gave a very sumptuous feast to several of his friends at hisindigo-plantation, which was situated but a few miles at the back of his palace, where I had the honour to be invited as one of the party, and had the pleasure of inspecting the[303]process of makingindigo, a detail of which will probably be acceptable.In the first place, therefore, I shall present the curious with a drawing of theindigo plant, which is a knotty shrub produced from seed, which grows to about two feet from the ground, and comes to perfection in the space of two months. This plant requires a very rich soil, which besides ought to be kept perfectly clean from weeds. In the plate,Ais the colour of the sprig;B, the leaves above;C, the same below;D, the seed inclosed in small brown pods;E, the size of the leaf as it grows;F, a piece of indigo ready made for use. The above sprig was designed from nature on the spot, but on a small scale: it has something the appearance of the tamarind branch, principally in the size of the leaf, which also grows in pairs, and is darker above than below; but at the extremity of each shoot inthisshrub, one leaf grows single, which is not the case in the other. The young shoot in the tamarind-trees also appears at the extremity of the branches; but in this they spring forth, as may be seen, from the base.The mode in which this plant is converted into indigo is as follows:—When all the verdure is cut off, the whole crop is tied in bunches, and put into a very large tub with water, covered over with very heavy logs of wood by way of pressers: thus kept, it begins to ferment; in less than eighteen hours the water seems to boil, and becomes of a violet or garter blue colour, extracting all the grain or colouring matter from[304]the plant: in this situation the liquor is drawn off into another tub, which is something less, when the remaining trash is carefully picked up and thrown away; and the very noxious smell of this refuse it is that occasions the peculiar unhealthiness which is always incident to this business. Being now in the second tub, the mash is agitated by paddles adapted for the purpose, till by a skilful maceration all the grain separates from the water, the first sinking like mud to the bottom, while the latter appears clear and transparent on the surface: this water, being carefully removed till near the coloured mass, the remaining liquor is drawn off into a third tub, to let what indigoitmay contain also settle in the bottom; after which, the last drops of water here being also removed, the sediment orindigois put into proper vessels to dry, where being divested of its last remaining moisture, and formed into small, round, and oblong square pieces, it is become a beautiful dark blue, and fit for exportation. The best indigo ought to be light, hard, and sparkling. In Surinam but little of it is cultivated, for what reason I know not, since one pound is sold for about four florins, which is about seven shillings in sterling money.Sprig of the Indigo Plant.Sprig of the Indigo Plant.London, Published Decr. 1st, 1791, by J. Johnson, St. Paul’s Church Yard.It is said this article was first introduced by oneDestrades, who called himself a French officer, and must have brought it from the island of St. Domingo very lately, since I myself was well acquainted with this poor fellow, who since shot himself through the head with a pistol at Demerary.—As the circumstances of his[305]death were somewhat remarkable, I cannot resist the temptation of relating them. Having involved himself in debt, he turned to ready money his remaining effects, and fled from Surinam: next setting up in the Spanish contraband trade, his all was taken. Deprived of every thing, he now applied for protection to a friend at Demerary, who humanely gave him shelter: at this time an abscess gathering in his shoulder, every assistance was offered, but in vain, Mr. Destrades refusing to let it be even examined; his shoulder therefore grew worse, and even dangerous, but he persisted in not permitting it to be uncovered; till one day, having dressed himself in his best apparel, the family was alarmed by the report of fire-arms, when they found him weltering in his blood, with a pistol by his side; and then, to their surprize, having stripped him, the mark ofV.forvoleur, or thief, was discovered on the very shoulder he had attempted to conceal.—Thus ended the life of this poor wretch, who had for years at Paramaribo supported the character of a polite and well-bred gentleman, where he had indeed been universally respected.Dinner being over at the Governor’s indigo-plantation, I now departed in his excellency’s coach to the waterside, where a tent-barge and eight oars lay in waiting to row me down to the estateCatwyk, in the River Comewina, whither I was invited by Mr.Goetzee, a Dutch naval officer, who was the proprietor of this beautiful country-seat. In this charming situation, no amusements[306]were wanting. There were carriages, saddle-horses, sail-boats, billiard-tables, &c. all ready for immediate use. But what embittered the pleasure was, the inhuman disposition of Mr. Goetzee’slady, who flogged her negro slaves for every little trifle. For instance, one of the foot-boys, calledJacky, not having rinsed the glasses according to her mind, she ordered him to be whipped the next morning; but the unfortunate youth soon put himself beyond the reach of her resentment: for, having taken farewell of the other negroes on the estate, he went up stairs, laid himself down upon hismaster’sown bed, where, placing the muzzle of a loaded fowling-piece in his mouth, by the help of his toe he drew the trigger, and put an end to his existence. A couple of stout negroes were now sent up to see what was the matter; who, finding the bed all over bespattered with blood and brains, got orders to throw the body out of the window to the dogs, while the master and mistress were so very much alarmed, that they never got the better of it2; nor would any person consent to lie in the same apartment, till I chose it in preference to any other, being assuredly the most pleasant room, and the very best bed, in the house. What added much to the alarm of the family, was the circumstance of a favourite child lying fast asleep in the same apartment where this shocking catastrophe happened. They were, however, relieved from[307]their alarms on this score, by being informed that it had not received the smallest injury.I had not been fourteen days on this plantation, when a female mulatto slave, calledYettee, for having jocosely said “her mistress had some debt as well as herself,” was stripped stark naked, and in a very indecent as well as inhuman manner flogged by two stout negroes before the dwelling-house door (while both her feet were locked to a heavy iron bolt) until hardly any skin was left on her thighs or sides. Five days after this I had the good fortune, however, to get her relieved from the iron-bolt, which was locked across her shins: but a Mrs.Van Eys, alledging she had affronted her also by hersaucylooks, prevailed on Mrs. Goetzee to renew the punishment the same week; when she was actually so cruelly beaten, that I expected she could not have survived it.Disgusted with this barbarity, I left the estate Catwyk, determined never more to return toit: but I still accompanying Mr. Goetzee to visit some of his other plantations from curiosity, in Cottica and Pirica Rivers, at one of these, called theAlia, a new-born female infant was presented me by way of compliment, to give it a name, which I calledCharlotte. But the next morning, during breakfast, seven negroes were here again tied up and flogged, some with acow-skin, which is very terrible.—Hence I made my retreat to the estateSgraven-Hague, and there, meeting a mulatto youth in chains, whose name wasDouglas, I with horror recollected his unhappy father, who had[308]been obliged to leave him a slave, and was now dead. Heartily tired of my excursion, I was now glad to make haste back to Paramaribo; where, as soon as I arrived, the first news I heard was that Colonel Fourgeoud’s French valet-de-chambre, poorMonsieur Laurant, had actually been buried before he was quite dead;—and that, for having been found drunk in an ale-house, no less than thirteen of our men had most severely run the gauntlet, and as many been terribly bastinadoed, the greatest number of which no more saw Europe;—also, that a Quaderoon youth and a Dutch sailor were found murdered on the beach.—I was now proceeding to take a walk on the plain or esplanade, but here I was called in by Mr. St—k—r, who conducting me three stories high: “From this window”(said he)“afew days since, leaped one of my black boys, to escape a gentle flogging; however, having only fainted in consequence of his fall, we soon brought him to life again by a hearty scouring on the ribs, so he did not escape; after which, for having risked himself, that is to say his master’s property, and frightened my wife, she ordered him to be sent to Fort Zelandia, where he received the interest, that is a most confoundedspanso-bocko.”The punishment calledspanso-bockois extremely severe indeed, and is executed in the following manner:—The prisoner’s hands being lashed together, he is laid down on the ground on one side, with his knees thrust between his arms, and these confined by a strong stake,[309]which separates them from his wrists, and is driven perpendicularly into the ground, insomuch that he can no more stir than if he was dead. In this locked position, trussed like a fowl, he is beaten on one side of his breech by a strong negro, with a handful of knotty tamarind branches, till the very flesh is cut away; he is then turned over on the other side, where the same dreadful flagellation is inflicted, till not a bit of skin is left, and the place of execution is dyed with blood: after which the raw lacerated wound is immediately washed with lemon-juice and gun-powder to prevent mortification, and then he is sent home to recover as well as he can.The above cruel and indecent punishment is sometimes repeated at every street in the town of Paramaribo, to men and women indiscriminately, which is a severity absolutely beyond conception; however, it is neverthusinflicted without a condemnation from the court. But a singlespanso-bocko, without regard to age or sex, as I have just mentioned, may be ordered by any proprietor, either at home, or by sending the victim to the fortress, with a note to the public executioner, to whom some trifle in money is paid as a fee of office.I next was addressed by a MonsieurRochetaux, whose Coromantyn cook, having spoiled hisragout, had just cut his own throat to prevent a whipping; and Mr. CharlesReynsdorp’s lately did the same.After these facts, can it be a matter of surprize, that[310]the negro slaves rise up in rebellion against masters who treat them with so very much severity?As I do not recollect that I have described in what manner these insurgents generally attack the estates, I cannot introduce it on a more proper occasion.Having lain during the night lurking in the bushes that surround the estate, they always appear a little before day-break, when unexpectedly falling on and massacring the Europeans, they plunder the dwelling-house, which they next set on fire, and then carry off the negro women, whom they load with the spoil, and treat with the utmost insolence should they make opposition3.And now farewell, I hope, ye wretched objects, who have not made the least conspicuous figure in these bloody pages! for which I should be more ready to apologize to the reader, had I not been induced to make cruelty ashamed of itself, and humanity gain ground: that at last, in some measure, my motive may be crowned with success, I most sincerely wish, abhorring every act of barbarity from the very bottom of my soul.“Why,Christians, rage thine insolence and scorn,Why burst thy vengeance on the wretch forlorn?[311]The cheerless captive, to slow death consign’d,Weigh’d down with chains, in prison glooms confin’d;Of hope bereft,who, by thy minions curs’d,With hunger famish’d, and consum’d with thirst,Without one friend, when Death’s last horror stung,Roll’d the wild eye, and gnaw’d the anguish’d tongue.”I have already stated that on the 24th of August I gave in a hopeless request to the Governor for my boy’s emancipation; and on the 8th of October I saw with equal joy and surprize the following advertisement posted up, “That if any one could give in a lawful objection whyJohn Stedman, a Quaderoon infant, the son of Captain Stedman, should not be presented with the blessing of freedom, such person or persons to appear before January 1st, 1777.”—I no sooner read it, than I ran with the good news to my good friend, Mr. Palmer, who assured me, “that the above was no more than a form, put in practice on the supposition of my producing the bail required, which undoubtedly they expected, from my having so boldly given in my request to the Governor of the colony.”—Without being able to utter one syllable in reply, I retired to the company of Joanna, who, with a smile, bid me “never to despair, that Johnny certainly one day would be free;” nor did she ever fail in giving me some consolation, whatever desperate were my expectations.About this time we were informed, that in the Utrecht paper an impertinentlibelhad appeared against the good[312]Fourgeoud, ridiculing him for his embassy to theOwcaandSeramecanegroes: which gentleman, though he had no assistance from thesealliesto expect, and his troops now melted down almost to nothing, nevertheless scorned to keep those that could stand upon their feet inactive. Thus, having provided the few remaining privates with new cloathes (thefirstthey had received since 1772); besides new sabres, bill-hooks, &c. he sent them all once more up, accompanied only by the subalterns, to be encamped at the mouth of the Cassipore Creek, in the upper parts of the Cottica river; the staff officers and captains being ordered soon to follow: and on the 7th we were treated by our commander, for thefirsttime, with a sirloin of good roast-beef, which, however, was sent him from Amsterdam, prepared as I have already described. At the dessert was a kind of fruit called in Surinampomme de canelle, or cinnamon-apple: it grows on a shrub in most gardens at Paramaribo, and has something the appearance of a young artichoke, being covered with a kind of green scales. The skin of this fruit is half an inch thick, and the pulp like clotted cream mixed with brown sugar: it is very sweet, but not much esteemed by many palates, being rather too luscious; the seeds, which are black, hard, and large, are contained in the pulp or creamy substance.Having now prepared myself once more for actual service, and again received a profusion of wine, spirits, and refreshments of every kind, to carry with me to the[313]woods, from different friends at Paramaribo; I left my dear mulatto and her boy to the care of that excellent woman Mrs. Godefroy, in order the following day to set out on myseventhcampaign, and help, if possible, to compleat that business we had so long and so ardently undertaken, for the safety and welfare of this valuable colony, and itslawfulinhabitants of every denomination; while happily my health and my spirits were at this time once more just as vigorous and as strong, with all my limbs as perfectly sound, as the very first day that I landed, with Colonel Fourgeoud and his regiment of marines, inTerra Firma.[314]1At Demerary, so late as October, 1789, thirty-two wretches were executed in three days, sixteen of whom suffered in the manner just described, with no less fortitude, and without uttering one single complaint.↑2The above unhappy people were poisoned by their slaves about six years after this happened.↑3For minute particulars I cannot do better than refer the curious to Mr.Belknap’s History ofNew Hampshire; where he describes the insurrection of the American Indians, which are almost perfectly similar to those of the African negroes.↑
CHAP. XXVII.The Rape of the Sabines—Shocking Execution, and African Fortitude—Description of an Indigo Plantation—The Spanso Bocko, a Punishment—The Troops again re-enter the Woods—The Expedition draws to a Conclusion.
The Rape of the Sabines—Shocking Execution, and African Fortitude—Description of an Indigo Plantation—The Spanso Bocko, a Punishment—The Troops again re-enter the Woods—The Expedition draws to a Conclusion.
The Rape of the Sabines—Shocking Execution, and African Fortitude—Description of an Indigo Plantation—The Spanso Bocko, a Punishment—The Troops again re-enter the Woods—The Expedition draws to a Conclusion.
Notwithstanding the successive defeats and repeated distresses of the rebels, news was brought to Paramaribo, on the 12th of August, that they had fallen upon the estateBergendal, or theBlue Bergh, which is also called MountParnassus, situated in the higher parts of the River Surinam, and carried away all the black women, although a military post was stationed near the above place, but without committing any kind of cruelty, as too generally had been their custom. Upon this intelligence a party of the rangers was instantly detached thither to assist in pursuing them; and about this same time the long-projectedcordon, or path of circumvallation round the colony, was also began to be cut, by seven hundred negro slaves; which path was henceforth to be manned with military piquets at proper distances, to defend the estates against any farther invasions from without, and to prevent desertion to the enemy from within.Mount Parnassus, which was the scene of the laterape of the Sabines, is situated on the west side of the River[292]Surinam, distant from Paramaribo, if we include the windings of the river, above one hundred miles; and as the situation is pleasant, I present the reader with a view of it, in the plate annexed, as also of the village, called theJews Savannah, which is distant from town, in a straight line, something more than forty, but by water above sixty English miles. Here the Jews have a beautiful synagogue, and keep their solemn fasts and festivals; here they also have their capital schools and seminaries, for at this village reside some very respectable Jewish families. These people possess particular rights and privileges in this colony, with which they were endowed by King Charles the Second, when the settlement of Surinam was English; and such are these privileges I never knew Jews to possess in any other part of the world whatever.From Paramaribo, or rather from the fortress New Amsterdam, the River Surinam, like those of Cottica and Comawina, is beautifully bordered with sugar and coffee plantations, as are also several creeks or small rivers that communicate with it; such as thePawlus, thePara, theCropina, and thePararaccreeks; but above Mount Parnassus not a single estate, that may be so called, is to be found; neither is the river any longer navigable, even for small craft, on account of the prodigious rocks, and cascades or water-falls, with which it is obstructed as it winds through excessively high mountains and an impenetrable forest. While therefore they form an enchantingly romantic scene to the eye, these natural bulwarks[293]prevent the possessors of the colony from making such discoveries as might perhaps reward their labour with very considerable riches.View of the Settlement called the Jew’s Savannah.View of the Settlement called the Jew’s Savannah.View of the Blue Bergh called Mount Parnassus.London, Published Decr. 1st, 1791, by J. Johnson, St. Paul’s Church Yard.If, as I have just mentioned, cruelties were become less common in the rivers by the rebels, barbarities still continued in a shocking degree in the metropolis; where my ears were deafened with the clang of the whip, and the shrieks of the negroes. Among the most eminent of these tyrants was a Miss Sp—n, who lived next door to Mr. de Graav, and who I saw with horror from my window give orders that a young black woman should be flogged principally across the breasts, at which she seemed to enjoy peculiar satisfaction. To dissipate the impression this scene had left on my mind, I got into a whiskey, and rode out; when the first thing I saw was a negro girl fall naked from a garret window on a heap of broken bottles: this was indeed an accident, but she was so mangled, though not dead, that she exhibited a spectacle nearly as wretched as the other.—Cursing my unlucky fate, I turned the horses, and drove to the beach, as the only place to avoid every scene of cruelty and misery; but here I had the mortification to see two Philadelphia sailors (while they were fighting on the forecastle of their vessel) both fall over the ship’s bow into the stream, where they sunk, and were no more seen. On board another American brig, I discovered a little tar defending himself from the cross-trees with a hatchet, against a serjeant and four armed men, for a considerable time; till they threatening[294]to shoot him out of the rigging, he at last surrendered, and being brought ashore, was dragged to fort Zelandia, in company with two others, by a file of musketeers, where, for having been drunk on duty, they received afire-canteach, at the captain’s request; that is, they were bastinadoed or beaten on the shoulders by two corporals with bamboo canes, till their backs were black, and swelled like a cushion. However arbitrary this mode of correction, the captain endeavoured to explain the necessity of it; the private American sailors being of a turbulent spirit indeed when drunk, although when sober they may be fairly classed among the best seamen in the world.Early the next morning, while musing on all the different dangers and chastisements to which the lower class of people are exposed, I heard a crowd pass under my window. Curiosity made me start up, dress in a hurry, and follow them: when I discovered three negroes in chains, surrounded by a guard, going to be executed in the savannah. Their undaunted look, however averse I may be to the sight of cruelties, so attracted my attention, as to determine me to see the result, which was thus:—The sentence being read in Low Dutch (which they did not understand) one was condemned to be flogged below the gallows, and his accomplice to have his head struck off with an ax, for having shot a slave who had come to steal plantains on the estate of his mistress. The truth however was, that this had been done by that lady’s absolute command; but the murder being[295]discovered, she, in the hopes of saving her character, besides the expence of paying the penalties, gave up her valuable slave, and permitted the unhappy man to be thus sacrificed. He laid his head upon the block with great indifference, stretching out his neck; when, with one blow of the ax, it was severed from his body.The third negro, whose name wasNeptune, was no slave, but his own master, and a carpenter by trade; he was young and handsome, but having killed the overseer of the estateAltona, in the Para Creek, in consequence of some dispute, hejustlyforfeited his life. The particulars, however, are worth relating: This man having stolen a sheep, to entertain a favourite young woman, the overseer, who burnt with jealousy, had determined to see him hanged; to prevent which, the negro shot him dead among the sugar-canes; for these offences of course he was sentenced to bebroken alive upon the rack, without the benefit of thecoup de graceor mercy-stroke. Informed of the dreadful sentence, he composedly laid himself down on his back on a strong cross, on which, with arms and legs expanded, he was fastened by ropes: the executioner, also a black man, having now with a hatchet chopped off his left hand, next took up a heavy iron bar, with which, by repeated blows, he broke his bones to shivers, till the marrow, blood, and splinters flew about the field; but the prisoner never uttered a groan nor a sigh. The ropes being next unlashed, I imagined him dead, and felt happy; till the magistrates[296]stirring to depart, he writhed himself from the cross, when he fell on the grass, and damned them all, as a set of barbarous rascals; at the same time removing his right hand by the help of his teeth, he rested his head on part of the timber, and asked the by-standers for a pipe of tobacco, which was infamously answered by kicking and spitting on him; till I, with some American seamen, thought proper to prevent it. He then begged that his head might be chopped off; but to no purpose. At last, seeing no end to his misery, he declared, “that though he had deserved death, he had not expected to die so many deaths: however, (said he) you christians have missed your aim at last, and I now care not, were I to remain thus one month longer.” After which he sung two extempore songs (with a clear voice) the subjects of which were, to bid adieu to his living friends, and to acquaint his deceased relations that in a very little time he should be with them, to enjoy their company for ever in a better place. This done, he calmly entered into conversation with some gentlemen concerning his trial; relating every particular with uncommon tranquillity—“But,” said he abruptly, “by the sun it must be eight o’clock; and by any longer discourse I should be sorry to be the cause of your losing your breakfast.” Then, casting his eyes on a Jew, whose name wasDe Vries, “A-propos, sir,” said he, “won’t you please to pay me the ten shillings you owe me?”—“For what to do?”—“To buy meat and drink, to be sure—don’t you perceive I am[297]to be kept alive?” Which speech, on seeing the Jew stare like a fool, this mangled wretch accompanied with a loud and hearty laugh. Next, observing the soldier that stood sentinel over him biting occasionally on a piece of dry bread, he asked him “how it came to pass, that he, awhite man, should have no meat to eat along with it?”—“Because I am not so rich,” answered the soldier.—“Then I will make you a present, sir,” said the negro; “first, pick my hand that was chopped off clean to the bones, next begin to devour my body, till you are glutted; when you will have both bread and meat, as best becomes you;”—which piece of humour was followed by a second laugh; and thus he continued, until I left him, which was about three hours after the dreadful execution.The Execution of Breaking on the Rack.The Execution of Breaking on the Rack.London, Published Decr. 2d, 1793, by J. Johnson, St. Paul’s Church Yard.Wonderful it is indeed, that human nature should be able to endure so much torture, which assuredly could only be supported by a mixture of rage, contempt, pride, and the glory of braving his tormentors, from whom he was so soon to escape1.Though I never recal to my remembrance, without the most painful sensation, this horrid scene, which must revolt the feelings of all who have one spark of humanity, I cannot forbear exhibiting to the public the dreadful spectacle in the annexed drawing. If the reader,[298]however, should be offended with this shocking exhibition, and my dwelling so long on this unpleasant subject, let it be some relief to his reflection, to consider this punishment not inflicted as a wanton and unprovoked act of cruelty, but as the extreme severity of the Surinam laws, on a desperate wretch, suffering as an example to others for complicated crimes; while at the same time it cannot but give me, and I hope many others, some consolation to reflect that the above barbarous mode of punishment was hitherto never put in practice in the British colonies.I must now relate an incident, which, as it had a momentary effect on my imagination, might have had a lasting one on some who had not investigated the real cause of it, and which it gave me no small satisfaction to discover. About three in the afternoon, walking towards the place of execution, with my thoughts full of the affecting scene, and the image of the sufferer fresh in my mind, the first object I saw was his head at some distance, placed on a stake,noddingto me backwards and forwards, as if he had really been alive. I instantly stopped short, and seeing no person in the savannah, nor a breath of wind sufficient to move a leaf or a feather, I acknowledge that I was rivetted to the ground, where I stood without having the resolution of advancing one step for some time; till reflecting that I must be weak indeed not to approach this dead skull, and find out the wonderful phenomenon, if possible, I boldly walked up, and instantly discovered the natural cause, by the return of avultureto the gallows,[299]who perched upon it, as if he meant to dispute with me for this feast of carrion; which bird, having already picked out one of the eyes, had fled at my first approach, and striking the skull with his talons, as he took his sudden flight, occasioned the motion already described. I shall now only add, that this poor wretch, after living near six hours, had been knocked on the head by the commiserating sentinel, the marks of whose musket were perfectly visible by a large open fracture in the skull.Vulturesare compared by some to the eagle, though those of Surinam possess very opposite qualities. They are indeed birds of prey, but instead of feeding on what they kill, like the other noble animal, their chief pursuit is carrion; wherefore they generally resort to burial-grounds and places of execution, which they discover by their very acute smell, so much so, that by the negroes they are calledtingee-fowlo, or the stinking bird. The Guiana vultures are the size of a common turkey; they are of a dark-grey colour, with black wings and tail; the bill is straight with a crooked point, and very strong; the tongue is cloven, the neck without feathers, and the legs very short. Besides carrion, these birds will often destroy and eat serpents, and indeed every thing that comes in their way, until they are so much gorged that they can hardly fly.The bird called theking of the vulturesis not very common in Surinam, though sometimes the Indians bring one or two to Paramaribo for sale, on account of its great[300]beauty. This is larger than any turkey-cock, with a naked head and neck, the skin of which is partly brown, yellow, and scarlet: round its neck it has a dusky, long, feathered collar, in which it can at pleasure withdraw, and so far hide its neck, that nothing but part of the head is perceptible. This bird likewise feeds on carrion, serpents, rats, toads, and even excrements.Among the other birds of prey in the forest of Surinam, is found thecrested eagle. This is a very fierce bird, and also very strong; the back is black, but yellowish at the base; the breast and belly white, with black spots, as are its thighs, and even the feathers of its legs; the rest of the body is entirely brown, and the claws perfectly yellow. The head of this bird is flat, ornamented with four feathers, two long and two short, which it can erect or depress at pleasure.About this time theHind, an English frigate, with her tender, were on the coast, looking out for American prizes.The 24th, being the Prince of Orange’s birth-day, the whole corps of officers were entertained with salt beef, salt pork, barley puddings, and hard pease, by Colonel Fourgeoud. And this day (poor Joanna being inflexible in her resolutions) I ratified the agreement with the good Mrs. Godefroy, in presence of her mother and other relations, whereby the above lady bound herself “never to part with her, except to myself alone, as long as she lived; and that upon her death, not only her full liberty,[301]but a spot of ground for cultivation, besides a neat house built upon it, should be her portion for ever, to dispose of as she pleased.” After this she returned my remaining bond of 900 florins, and gave Joanna a purse with gold containing near twenty ducats, besides a couple of pieces of East India chintz, advising me at the same time “to give in a request to the court for little Johnny’s immediate manumission; which,” she observed, “was a necessary form, whether I should be able to obtain the bail usually required or not; and without which formality, even if I had the bail ready to appear, nothing would be done in the course of business.”Having both of us thanked this most excellent woman, I went to sup with the Governor, where being transported with joy, I gave him my request in full form, which he coolly put in his pocket with one hand, while he gave me a hearty squeeze with the other; and shaking his head, told me frankly, “that he would lay it before the court; but at the same time was perfectly convinced my boy must die a slave, unless I could find the necessary bail, which he was at the same time well persuaded very few people would wish to appear for.” Thus, after spending so much time and labour, besides the expence of above a hundred guineas already paid, I had still the inexpressible mortification to see this dear little fellow, of whom I was both the father and the master, exposed to perhaps eternal servitude; as for Joanna, she was now perfectly safe, to my heartfelt satisfaction.[302]One consolation, however, in the midst of this disappointment, most opportunely presented itself. The famous negro,Graman-Qwacy, formerly mentioned, who was just returned from Holland, brought the news, that partly byhisinterest a new law was there enacted, by which all slaves were to be free six months after their landing at the Texel; which, indeed, on application of their masters, might be extended to twelve, but not a single day longer on any account whatsoever.—Thus being persuaded that I shouldone dayjoyfully carry both him and his mother over the Atlantic, my heart was greatly relieved.Of this Graman-Qwacy I will beg leave to give a short account, before I take farewell of the reader. Suffice it for the present to say, that the Prince of Orange, besides paying his out and homeward passage, and giving him several presents, sent him back to Surinam dressed in a suit of blue and scarlet, trimmed over with broad gold lace: on his hat he wore a white feather, and looked upon the whole not unlike one of the Dutch generals; which goodness made this king of the negroes, however, very proud, and even frequently very saucy.On the 25th, the Governor of the colony gave a very sumptuous feast to several of his friends at hisindigo-plantation, which was situated but a few miles at the back of his palace, where I had the honour to be invited as one of the party, and had the pleasure of inspecting the[303]process of makingindigo, a detail of which will probably be acceptable.In the first place, therefore, I shall present the curious with a drawing of theindigo plant, which is a knotty shrub produced from seed, which grows to about two feet from the ground, and comes to perfection in the space of two months. This plant requires a very rich soil, which besides ought to be kept perfectly clean from weeds. In the plate,Ais the colour of the sprig;B, the leaves above;C, the same below;D, the seed inclosed in small brown pods;E, the size of the leaf as it grows;F, a piece of indigo ready made for use. The above sprig was designed from nature on the spot, but on a small scale: it has something the appearance of the tamarind branch, principally in the size of the leaf, which also grows in pairs, and is darker above than below; but at the extremity of each shoot inthisshrub, one leaf grows single, which is not the case in the other. The young shoot in the tamarind-trees also appears at the extremity of the branches; but in this they spring forth, as may be seen, from the base.The mode in which this plant is converted into indigo is as follows:—When all the verdure is cut off, the whole crop is tied in bunches, and put into a very large tub with water, covered over with very heavy logs of wood by way of pressers: thus kept, it begins to ferment; in less than eighteen hours the water seems to boil, and becomes of a violet or garter blue colour, extracting all the grain or colouring matter from[304]the plant: in this situation the liquor is drawn off into another tub, which is something less, when the remaining trash is carefully picked up and thrown away; and the very noxious smell of this refuse it is that occasions the peculiar unhealthiness which is always incident to this business. Being now in the second tub, the mash is agitated by paddles adapted for the purpose, till by a skilful maceration all the grain separates from the water, the first sinking like mud to the bottom, while the latter appears clear and transparent on the surface: this water, being carefully removed till near the coloured mass, the remaining liquor is drawn off into a third tub, to let what indigoitmay contain also settle in the bottom; after which, the last drops of water here being also removed, the sediment orindigois put into proper vessels to dry, where being divested of its last remaining moisture, and formed into small, round, and oblong square pieces, it is become a beautiful dark blue, and fit for exportation. The best indigo ought to be light, hard, and sparkling. In Surinam but little of it is cultivated, for what reason I know not, since one pound is sold for about four florins, which is about seven shillings in sterling money.Sprig of the Indigo Plant.Sprig of the Indigo Plant.London, Published Decr. 1st, 1791, by J. Johnson, St. Paul’s Church Yard.It is said this article was first introduced by oneDestrades, who called himself a French officer, and must have brought it from the island of St. Domingo very lately, since I myself was well acquainted with this poor fellow, who since shot himself through the head with a pistol at Demerary.—As the circumstances of his[305]death were somewhat remarkable, I cannot resist the temptation of relating them. Having involved himself in debt, he turned to ready money his remaining effects, and fled from Surinam: next setting up in the Spanish contraband trade, his all was taken. Deprived of every thing, he now applied for protection to a friend at Demerary, who humanely gave him shelter: at this time an abscess gathering in his shoulder, every assistance was offered, but in vain, Mr. Destrades refusing to let it be even examined; his shoulder therefore grew worse, and even dangerous, but he persisted in not permitting it to be uncovered; till one day, having dressed himself in his best apparel, the family was alarmed by the report of fire-arms, when they found him weltering in his blood, with a pistol by his side; and then, to their surprize, having stripped him, the mark ofV.forvoleur, or thief, was discovered on the very shoulder he had attempted to conceal.—Thus ended the life of this poor wretch, who had for years at Paramaribo supported the character of a polite and well-bred gentleman, where he had indeed been universally respected.Dinner being over at the Governor’s indigo-plantation, I now departed in his excellency’s coach to the waterside, where a tent-barge and eight oars lay in waiting to row me down to the estateCatwyk, in the River Comewina, whither I was invited by Mr.Goetzee, a Dutch naval officer, who was the proprietor of this beautiful country-seat. In this charming situation, no amusements[306]were wanting. There were carriages, saddle-horses, sail-boats, billiard-tables, &c. all ready for immediate use. But what embittered the pleasure was, the inhuman disposition of Mr. Goetzee’slady, who flogged her negro slaves for every little trifle. For instance, one of the foot-boys, calledJacky, not having rinsed the glasses according to her mind, she ordered him to be whipped the next morning; but the unfortunate youth soon put himself beyond the reach of her resentment: for, having taken farewell of the other negroes on the estate, he went up stairs, laid himself down upon hismaster’sown bed, where, placing the muzzle of a loaded fowling-piece in his mouth, by the help of his toe he drew the trigger, and put an end to his existence. A couple of stout negroes were now sent up to see what was the matter; who, finding the bed all over bespattered with blood and brains, got orders to throw the body out of the window to the dogs, while the master and mistress were so very much alarmed, that they never got the better of it2; nor would any person consent to lie in the same apartment, till I chose it in preference to any other, being assuredly the most pleasant room, and the very best bed, in the house. What added much to the alarm of the family, was the circumstance of a favourite child lying fast asleep in the same apartment where this shocking catastrophe happened. They were, however, relieved from[307]their alarms on this score, by being informed that it had not received the smallest injury.I had not been fourteen days on this plantation, when a female mulatto slave, calledYettee, for having jocosely said “her mistress had some debt as well as herself,” was stripped stark naked, and in a very indecent as well as inhuman manner flogged by two stout negroes before the dwelling-house door (while both her feet were locked to a heavy iron bolt) until hardly any skin was left on her thighs or sides. Five days after this I had the good fortune, however, to get her relieved from the iron-bolt, which was locked across her shins: but a Mrs.Van Eys, alledging she had affronted her also by hersaucylooks, prevailed on Mrs. Goetzee to renew the punishment the same week; when she was actually so cruelly beaten, that I expected she could not have survived it.Disgusted with this barbarity, I left the estate Catwyk, determined never more to return toit: but I still accompanying Mr. Goetzee to visit some of his other plantations from curiosity, in Cottica and Pirica Rivers, at one of these, called theAlia, a new-born female infant was presented me by way of compliment, to give it a name, which I calledCharlotte. But the next morning, during breakfast, seven negroes were here again tied up and flogged, some with acow-skin, which is very terrible.—Hence I made my retreat to the estateSgraven-Hague, and there, meeting a mulatto youth in chains, whose name wasDouglas, I with horror recollected his unhappy father, who had[308]been obliged to leave him a slave, and was now dead. Heartily tired of my excursion, I was now glad to make haste back to Paramaribo; where, as soon as I arrived, the first news I heard was that Colonel Fourgeoud’s French valet-de-chambre, poorMonsieur Laurant, had actually been buried before he was quite dead;—and that, for having been found drunk in an ale-house, no less than thirteen of our men had most severely run the gauntlet, and as many been terribly bastinadoed, the greatest number of which no more saw Europe;—also, that a Quaderoon youth and a Dutch sailor were found murdered on the beach.—I was now proceeding to take a walk on the plain or esplanade, but here I was called in by Mr. St—k—r, who conducting me three stories high: “From this window”(said he)“afew days since, leaped one of my black boys, to escape a gentle flogging; however, having only fainted in consequence of his fall, we soon brought him to life again by a hearty scouring on the ribs, so he did not escape; after which, for having risked himself, that is to say his master’s property, and frightened my wife, she ordered him to be sent to Fort Zelandia, where he received the interest, that is a most confoundedspanso-bocko.”The punishment calledspanso-bockois extremely severe indeed, and is executed in the following manner:—The prisoner’s hands being lashed together, he is laid down on the ground on one side, with his knees thrust between his arms, and these confined by a strong stake,[309]which separates them from his wrists, and is driven perpendicularly into the ground, insomuch that he can no more stir than if he was dead. In this locked position, trussed like a fowl, he is beaten on one side of his breech by a strong negro, with a handful of knotty tamarind branches, till the very flesh is cut away; he is then turned over on the other side, where the same dreadful flagellation is inflicted, till not a bit of skin is left, and the place of execution is dyed with blood: after which the raw lacerated wound is immediately washed with lemon-juice and gun-powder to prevent mortification, and then he is sent home to recover as well as he can.The above cruel and indecent punishment is sometimes repeated at every street in the town of Paramaribo, to men and women indiscriminately, which is a severity absolutely beyond conception; however, it is neverthusinflicted without a condemnation from the court. But a singlespanso-bocko, without regard to age or sex, as I have just mentioned, may be ordered by any proprietor, either at home, or by sending the victim to the fortress, with a note to the public executioner, to whom some trifle in money is paid as a fee of office.I next was addressed by a MonsieurRochetaux, whose Coromantyn cook, having spoiled hisragout, had just cut his own throat to prevent a whipping; and Mr. CharlesReynsdorp’s lately did the same.After these facts, can it be a matter of surprize, that[310]the negro slaves rise up in rebellion against masters who treat them with so very much severity?As I do not recollect that I have described in what manner these insurgents generally attack the estates, I cannot introduce it on a more proper occasion.Having lain during the night lurking in the bushes that surround the estate, they always appear a little before day-break, when unexpectedly falling on and massacring the Europeans, they plunder the dwelling-house, which they next set on fire, and then carry off the negro women, whom they load with the spoil, and treat with the utmost insolence should they make opposition3.And now farewell, I hope, ye wretched objects, who have not made the least conspicuous figure in these bloody pages! for which I should be more ready to apologize to the reader, had I not been induced to make cruelty ashamed of itself, and humanity gain ground: that at last, in some measure, my motive may be crowned with success, I most sincerely wish, abhorring every act of barbarity from the very bottom of my soul.“Why,Christians, rage thine insolence and scorn,Why burst thy vengeance on the wretch forlorn?[311]The cheerless captive, to slow death consign’d,Weigh’d down with chains, in prison glooms confin’d;Of hope bereft,who, by thy minions curs’d,With hunger famish’d, and consum’d with thirst,Without one friend, when Death’s last horror stung,Roll’d the wild eye, and gnaw’d the anguish’d tongue.”I have already stated that on the 24th of August I gave in a hopeless request to the Governor for my boy’s emancipation; and on the 8th of October I saw with equal joy and surprize the following advertisement posted up, “That if any one could give in a lawful objection whyJohn Stedman, a Quaderoon infant, the son of Captain Stedman, should not be presented with the blessing of freedom, such person or persons to appear before January 1st, 1777.”—I no sooner read it, than I ran with the good news to my good friend, Mr. Palmer, who assured me, “that the above was no more than a form, put in practice on the supposition of my producing the bail required, which undoubtedly they expected, from my having so boldly given in my request to the Governor of the colony.”—Without being able to utter one syllable in reply, I retired to the company of Joanna, who, with a smile, bid me “never to despair, that Johnny certainly one day would be free;” nor did she ever fail in giving me some consolation, whatever desperate were my expectations.About this time we were informed, that in the Utrecht paper an impertinentlibelhad appeared against the good[312]Fourgeoud, ridiculing him for his embassy to theOwcaandSeramecanegroes: which gentleman, though he had no assistance from thesealliesto expect, and his troops now melted down almost to nothing, nevertheless scorned to keep those that could stand upon their feet inactive. Thus, having provided the few remaining privates with new cloathes (thefirstthey had received since 1772); besides new sabres, bill-hooks, &c. he sent them all once more up, accompanied only by the subalterns, to be encamped at the mouth of the Cassipore Creek, in the upper parts of the Cottica river; the staff officers and captains being ordered soon to follow: and on the 7th we were treated by our commander, for thefirsttime, with a sirloin of good roast-beef, which, however, was sent him from Amsterdam, prepared as I have already described. At the dessert was a kind of fruit called in Surinampomme de canelle, or cinnamon-apple: it grows on a shrub in most gardens at Paramaribo, and has something the appearance of a young artichoke, being covered with a kind of green scales. The skin of this fruit is half an inch thick, and the pulp like clotted cream mixed with brown sugar: it is very sweet, but not much esteemed by many palates, being rather too luscious; the seeds, which are black, hard, and large, are contained in the pulp or creamy substance.Having now prepared myself once more for actual service, and again received a profusion of wine, spirits, and refreshments of every kind, to carry with me to the[313]woods, from different friends at Paramaribo; I left my dear mulatto and her boy to the care of that excellent woman Mrs. Godefroy, in order the following day to set out on myseventhcampaign, and help, if possible, to compleat that business we had so long and so ardently undertaken, for the safety and welfare of this valuable colony, and itslawfulinhabitants of every denomination; while happily my health and my spirits were at this time once more just as vigorous and as strong, with all my limbs as perfectly sound, as the very first day that I landed, with Colonel Fourgeoud and his regiment of marines, inTerra Firma.[314]
Notwithstanding the successive defeats and repeated distresses of the rebels, news was brought to Paramaribo, on the 12th of August, that they had fallen upon the estateBergendal, or theBlue Bergh, which is also called MountParnassus, situated in the higher parts of the River Surinam, and carried away all the black women, although a military post was stationed near the above place, but without committing any kind of cruelty, as too generally had been their custom. Upon this intelligence a party of the rangers was instantly detached thither to assist in pursuing them; and about this same time the long-projectedcordon, or path of circumvallation round the colony, was also began to be cut, by seven hundred negro slaves; which path was henceforth to be manned with military piquets at proper distances, to defend the estates against any farther invasions from without, and to prevent desertion to the enemy from within.
Mount Parnassus, which was the scene of the laterape of the Sabines, is situated on the west side of the River[292]Surinam, distant from Paramaribo, if we include the windings of the river, above one hundred miles; and as the situation is pleasant, I present the reader with a view of it, in the plate annexed, as also of the village, called theJews Savannah, which is distant from town, in a straight line, something more than forty, but by water above sixty English miles. Here the Jews have a beautiful synagogue, and keep their solemn fasts and festivals; here they also have their capital schools and seminaries, for at this village reside some very respectable Jewish families. These people possess particular rights and privileges in this colony, with which they were endowed by King Charles the Second, when the settlement of Surinam was English; and such are these privileges I never knew Jews to possess in any other part of the world whatever.
From Paramaribo, or rather from the fortress New Amsterdam, the River Surinam, like those of Cottica and Comawina, is beautifully bordered with sugar and coffee plantations, as are also several creeks or small rivers that communicate with it; such as thePawlus, thePara, theCropina, and thePararaccreeks; but above Mount Parnassus not a single estate, that may be so called, is to be found; neither is the river any longer navigable, even for small craft, on account of the prodigious rocks, and cascades or water-falls, with which it is obstructed as it winds through excessively high mountains and an impenetrable forest. While therefore they form an enchantingly romantic scene to the eye, these natural bulwarks[293]prevent the possessors of the colony from making such discoveries as might perhaps reward their labour with very considerable riches.
View of the Settlement called the Jew’s Savannah.View of the Settlement called the Jew’s Savannah.View of the Blue Bergh called Mount Parnassus.London, Published Decr. 1st, 1791, by J. Johnson, St. Paul’s Church Yard.
View of the Settlement called the Jew’s Savannah.
View of the Blue Bergh called Mount Parnassus.
London, Published Decr. 1st, 1791, by J. Johnson, St. Paul’s Church Yard.
If, as I have just mentioned, cruelties were become less common in the rivers by the rebels, barbarities still continued in a shocking degree in the metropolis; where my ears were deafened with the clang of the whip, and the shrieks of the negroes. Among the most eminent of these tyrants was a Miss Sp—n, who lived next door to Mr. de Graav, and who I saw with horror from my window give orders that a young black woman should be flogged principally across the breasts, at which she seemed to enjoy peculiar satisfaction. To dissipate the impression this scene had left on my mind, I got into a whiskey, and rode out; when the first thing I saw was a negro girl fall naked from a garret window on a heap of broken bottles: this was indeed an accident, but she was so mangled, though not dead, that she exhibited a spectacle nearly as wretched as the other.—Cursing my unlucky fate, I turned the horses, and drove to the beach, as the only place to avoid every scene of cruelty and misery; but here I had the mortification to see two Philadelphia sailors (while they were fighting on the forecastle of their vessel) both fall over the ship’s bow into the stream, where they sunk, and were no more seen. On board another American brig, I discovered a little tar defending himself from the cross-trees with a hatchet, against a serjeant and four armed men, for a considerable time; till they threatening[294]to shoot him out of the rigging, he at last surrendered, and being brought ashore, was dragged to fort Zelandia, in company with two others, by a file of musketeers, where, for having been drunk on duty, they received afire-canteach, at the captain’s request; that is, they were bastinadoed or beaten on the shoulders by two corporals with bamboo canes, till their backs were black, and swelled like a cushion. However arbitrary this mode of correction, the captain endeavoured to explain the necessity of it; the private American sailors being of a turbulent spirit indeed when drunk, although when sober they may be fairly classed among the best seamen in the world.
Early the next morning, while musing on all the different dangers and chastisements to which the lower class of people are exposed, I heard a crowd pass under my window. Curiosity made me start up, dress in a hurry, and follow them: when I discovered three negroes in chains, surrounded by a guard, going to be executed in the savannah. Their undaunted look, however averse I may be to the sight of cruelties, so attracted my attention, as to determine me to see the result, which was thus:—The sentence being read in Low Dutch (which they did not understand) one was condemned to be flogged below the gallows, and his accomplice to have his head struck off with an ax, for having shot a slave who had come to steal plantains on the estate of his mistress. The truth however was, that this had been done by that lady’s absolute command; but the murder being[295]discovered, she, in the hopes of saving her character, besides the expence of paying the penalties, gave up her valuable slave, and permitted the unhappy man to be thus sacrificed. He laid his head upon the block with great indifference, stretching out his neck; when, with one blow of the ax, it was severed from his body.
The third negro, whose name wasNeptune, was no slave, but his own master, and a carpenter by trade; he was young and handsome, but having killed the overseer of the estateAltona, in the Para Creek, in consequence of some dispute, hejustlyforfeited his life. The particulars, however, are worth relating: This man having stolen a sheep, to entertain a favourite young woman, the overseer, who burnt with jealousy, had determined to see him hanged; to prevent which, the negro shot him dead among the sugar-canes; for these offences of course he was sentenced to bebroken alive upon the rack, without the benefit of thecoup de graceor mercy-stroke. Informed of the dreadful sentence, he composedly laid himself down on his back on a strong cross, on which, with arms and legs expanded, he was fastened by ropes: the executioner, also a black man, having now with a hatchet chopped off his left hand, next took up a heavy iron bar, with which, by repeated blows, he broke his bones to shivers, till the marrow, blood, and splinters flew about the field; but the prisoner never uttered a groan nor a sigh. The ropes being next unlashed, I imagined him dead, and felt happy; till the magistrates[296]stirring to depart, he writhed himself from the cross, when he fell on the grass, and damned them all, as a set of barbarous rascals; at the same time removing his right hand by the help of his teeth, he rested his head on part of the timber, and asked the by-standers for a pipe of tobacco, which was infamously answered by kicking and spitting on him; till I, with some American seamen, thought proper to prevent it. He then begged that his head might be chopped off; but to no purpose. At last, seeing no end to his misery, he declared, “that though he had deserved death, he had not expected to die so many deaths: however, (said he) you christians have missed your aim at last, and I now care not, were I to remain thus one month longer.” After which he sung two extempore songs (with a clear voice) the subjects of which were, to bid adieu to his living friends, and to acquaint his deceased relations that in a very little time he should be with them, to enjoy their company for ever in a better place. This done, he calmly entered into conversation with some gentlemen concerning his trial; relating every particular with uncommon tranquillity—“But,” said he abruptly, “by the sun it must be eight o’clock; and by any longer discourse I should be sorry to be the cause of your losing your breakfast.” Then, casting his eyes on a Jew, whose name wasDe Vries, “A-propos, sir,” said he, “won’t you please to pay me the ten shillings you owe me?”—“For what to do?”—“To buy meat and drink, to be sure—don’t you perceive I am[297]to be kept alive?” Which speech, on seeing the Jew stare like a fool, this mangled wretch accompanied with a loud and hearty laugh. Next, observing the soldier that stood sentinel over him biting occasionally on a piece of dry bread, he asked him “how it came to pass, that he, awhite man, should have no meat to eat along with it?”—“Because I am not so rich,” answered the soldier.—“Then I will make you a present, sir,” said the negro; “first, pick my hand that was chopped off clean to the bones, next begin to devour my body, till you are glutted; when you will have both bread and meat, as best becomes you;”—which piece of humour was followed by a second laugh; and thus he continued, until I left him, which was about three hours after the dreadful execution.
The Execution of Breaking on the Rack.The Execution of Breaking on the Rack.London, Published Decr. 2d, 1793, by J. Johnson, St. Paul’s Church Yard.
The Execution of Breaking on the Rack.
London, Published Decr. 2d, 1793, by J. Johnson, St. Paul’s Church Yard.
Wonderful it is indeed, that human nature should be able to endure so much torture, which assuredly could only be supported by a mixture of rage, contempt, pride, and the glory of braving his tormentors, from whom he was so soon to escape1.
Though I never recal to my remembrance, without the most painful sensation, this horrid scene, which must revolt the feelings of all who have one spark of humanity, I cannot forbear exhibiting to the public the dreadful spectacle in the annexed drawing. If the reader,[298]however, should be offended with this shocking exhibition, and my dwelling so long on this unpleasant subject, let it be some relief to his reflection, to consider this punishment not inflicted as a wanton and unprovoked act of cruelty, but as the extreme severity of the Surinam laws, on a desperate wretch, suffering as an example to others for complicated crimes; while at the same time it cannot but give me, and I hope many others, some consolation to reflect that the above barbarous mode of punishment was hitherto never put in practice in the British colonies.
I must now relate an incident, which, as it had a momentary effect on my imagination, might have had a lasting one on some who had not investigated the real cause of it, and which it gave me no small satisfaction to discover. About three in the afternoon, walking towards the place of execution, with my thoughts full of the affecting scene, and the image of the sufferer fresh in my mind, the first object I saw was his head at some distance, placed on a stake,noddingto me backwards and forwards, as if he had really been alive. I instantly stopped short, and seeing no person in the savannah, nor a breath of wind sufficient to move a leaf or a feather, I acknowledge that I was rivetted to the ground, where I stood without having the resolution of advancing one step for some time; till reflecting that I must be weak indeed not to approach this dead skull, and find out the wonderful phenomenon, if possible, I boldly walked up, and instantly discovered the natural cause, by the return of avultureto the gallows,[299]who perched upon it, as if he meant to dispute with me for this feast of carrion; which bird, having already picked out one of the eyes, had fled at my first approach, and striking the skull with his talons, as he took his sudden flight, occasioned the motion already described. I shall now only add, that this poor wretch, after living near six hours, had been knocked on the head by the commiserating sentinel, the marks of whose musket were perfectly visible by a large open fracture in the skull.
Vulturesare compared by some to the eagle, though those of Surinam possess very opposite qualities. They are indeed birds of prey, but instead of feeding on what they kill, like the other noble animal, their chief pursuit is carrion; wherefore they generally resort to burial-grounds and places of execution, which they discover by their very acute smell, so much so, that by the negroes they are calledtingee-fowlo, or the stinking bird. The Guiana vultures are the size of a common turkey; they are of a dark-grey colour, with black wings and tail; the bill is straight with a crooked point, and very strong; the tongue is cloven, the neck without feathers, and the legs very short. Besides carrion, these birds will often destroy and eat serpents, and indeed every thing that comes in their way, until they are so much gorged that they can hardly fly.
The bird called theking of the vulturesis not very common in Surinam, though sometimes the Indians bring one or two to Paramaribo for sale, on account of its great[300]beauty. This is larger than any turkey-cock, with a naked head and neck, the skin of which is partly brown, yellow, and scarlet: round its neck it has a dusky, long, feathered collar, in which it can at pleasure withdraw, and so far hide its neck, that nothing but part of the head is perceptible. This bird likewise feeds on carrion, serpents, rats, toads, and even excrements.
Among the other birds of prey in the forest of Surinam, is found thecrested eagle. This is a very fierce bird, and also very strong; the back is black, but yellowish at the base; the breast and belly white, with black spots, as are its thighs, and even the feathers of its legs; the rest of the body is entirely brown, and the claws perfectly yellow. The head of this bird is flat, ornamented with four feathers, two long and two short, which it can erect or depress at pleasure.
About this time theHind, an English frigate, with her tender, were on the coast, looking out for American prizes.
The 24th, being the Prince of Orange’s birth-day, the whole corps of officers were entertained with salt beef, salt pork, barley puddings, and hard pease, by Colonel Fourgeoud. And this day (poor Joanna being inflexible in her resolutions) I ratified the agreement with the good Mrs. Godefroy, in presence of her mother and other relations, whereby the above lady bound herself “never to part with her, except to myself alone, as long as she lived; and that upon her death, not only her full liberty,[301]but a spot of ground for cultivation, besides a neat house built upon it, should be her portion for ever, to dispose of as she pleased.” After this she returned my remaining bond of 900 florins, and gave Joanna a purse with gold containing near twenty ducats, besides a couple of pieces of East India chintz, advising me at the same time “to give in a request to the court for little Johnny’s immediate manumission; which,” she observed, “was a necessary form, whether I should be able to obtain the bail usually required or not; and without which formality, even if I had the bail ready to appear, nothing would be done in the course of business.”
Having both of us thanked this most excellent woman, I went to sup with the Governor, where being transported with joy, I gave him my request in full form, which he coolly put in his pocket with one hand, while he gave me a hearty squeeze with the other; and shaking his head, told me frankly, “that he would lay it before the court; but at the same time was perfectly convinced my boy must die a slave, unless I could find the necessary bail, which he was at the same time well persuaded very few people would wish to appear for.” Thus, after spending so much time and labour, besides the expence of above a hundred guineas already paid, I had still the inexpressible mortification to see this dear little fellow, of whom I was both the father and the master, exposed to perhaps eternal servitude; as for Joanna, she was now perfectly safe, to my heartfelt satisfaction.[302]
One consolation, however, in the midst of this disappointment, most opportunely presented itself. The famous negro,Graman-Qwacy, formerly mentioned, who was just returned from Holland, brought the news, that partly byhisinterest a new law was there enacted, by which all slaves were to be free six months after their landing at the Texel; which, indeed, on application of their masters, might be extended to twelve, but not a single day longer on any account whatsoever.—Thus being persuaded that I shouldone dayjoyfully carry both him and his mother over the Atlantic, my heart was greatly relieved.
Of this Graman-Qwacy I will beg leave to give a short account, before I take farewell of the reader. Suffice it for the present to say, that the Prince of Orange, besides paying his out and homeward passage, and giving him several presents, sent him back to Surinam dressed in a suit of blue and scarlet, trimmed over with broad gold lace: on his hat he wore a white feather, and looked upon the whole not unlike one of the Dutch generals; which goodness made this king of the negroes, however, very proud, and even frequently very saucy.
On the 25th, the Governor of the colony gave a very sumptuous feast to several of his friends at hisindigo-plantation, which was situated but a few miles at the back of his palace, where I had the honour to be invited as one of the party, and had the pleasure of inspecting the[303]process of makingindigo, a detail of which will probably be acceptable.
In the first place, therefore, I shall present the curious with a drawing of theindigo plant, which is a knotty shrub produced from seed, which grows to about two feet from the ground, and comes to perfection in the space of two months. This plant requires a very rich soil, which besides ought to be kept perfectly clean from weeds. In the plate,Ais the colour of the sprig;B, the leaves above;C, the same below;D, the seed inclosed in small brown pods;E, the size of the leaf as it grows;F, a piece of indigo ready made for use. The above sprig was designed from nature on the spot, but on a small scale: it has something the appearance of the tamarind branch, principally in the size of the leaf, which also grows in pairs, and is darker above than below; but at the extremity of each shoot inthisshrub, one leaf grows single, which is not the case in the other. The young shoot in the tamarind-trees also appears at the extremity of the branches; but in this they spring forth, as may be seen, from the base.
The mode in which this plant is converted into indigo is as follows:—When all the verdure is cut off, the whole crop is tied in bunches, and put into a very large tub with water, covered over with very heavy logs of wood by way of pressers: thus kept, it begins to ferment; in less than eighteen hours the water seems to boil, and becomes of a violet or garter blue colour, extracting all the grain or colouring matter from[304]the plant: in this situation the liquor is drawn off into another tub, which is something less, when the remaining trash is carefully picked up and thrown away; and the very noxious smell of this refuse it is that occasions the peculiar unhealthiness which is always incident to this business. Being now in the second tub, the mash is agitated by paddles adapted for the purpose, till by a skilful maceration all the grain separates from the water, the first sinking like mud to the bottom, while the latter appears clear and transparent on the surface: this water, being carefully removed till near the coloured mass, the remaining liquor is drawn off into a third tub, to let what indigoitmay contain also settle in the bottom; after which, the last drops of water here being also removed, the sediment orindigois put into proper vessels to dry, where being divested of its last remaining moisture, and formed into small, round, and oblong square pieces, it is become a beautiful dark blue, and fit for exportation. The best indigo ought to be light, hard, and sparkling. In Surinam but little of it is cultivated, for what reason I know not, since one pound is sold for about four florins, which is about seven shillings in sterling money.
Sprig of the Indigo Plant.Sprig of the Indigo Plant.London, Published Decr. 1st, 1791, by J. Johnson, St. Paul’s Church Yard.
Sprig of the Indigo Plant.
London, Published Decr. 1st, 1791, by J. Johnson, St. Paul’s Church Yard.
It is said this article was first introduced by oneDestrades, who called himself a French officer, and must have brought it from the island of St. Domingo very lately, since I myself was well acquainted with this poor fellow, who since shot himself through the head with a pistol at Demerary.—As the circumstances of his[305]death were somewhat remarkable, I cannot resist the temptation of relating them. Having involved himself in debt, he turned to ready money his remaining effects, and fled from Surinam: next setting up in the Spanish contraband trade, his all was taken. Deprived of every thing, he now applied for protection to a friend at Demerary, who humanely gave him shelter: at this time an abscess gathering in his shoulder, every assistance was offered, but in vain, Mr. Destrades refusing to let it be even examined; his shoulder therefore grew worse, and even dangerous, but he persisted in not permitting it to be uncovered; till one day, having dressed himself in his best apparel, the family was alarmed by the report of fire-arms, when they found him weltering in his blood, with a pistol by his side; and then, to their surprize, having stripped him, the mark ofV.forvoleur, or thief, was discovered on the very shoulder he had attempted to conceal.—Thus ended the life of this poor wretch, who had for years at Paramaribo supported the character of a polite and well-bred gentleman, where he had indeed been universally respected.
Dinner being over at the Governor’s indigo-plantation, I now departed in his excellency’s coach to the waterside, where a tent-barge and eight oars lay in waiting to row me down to the estateCatwyk, in the River Comewina, whither I was invited by Mr.Goetzee, a Dutch naval officer, who was the proprietor of this beautiful country-seat. In this charming situation, no amusements[306]were wanting. There were carriages, saddle-horses, sail-boats, billiard-tables, &c. all ready for immediate use. But what embittered the pleasure was, the inhuman disposition of Mr. Goetzee’slady, who flogged her negro slaves for every little trifle. For instance, one of the foot-boys, calledJacky, not having rinsed the glasses according to her mind, she ordered him to be whipped the next morning; but the unfortunate youth soon put himself beyond the reach of her resentment: for, having taken farewell of the other negroes on the estate, he went up stairs, laid himself down upon hismaster’sown bed, where, placing the muzzle of a loaded fowling-piece in his mouth, by the help of his toe he drew the trigger, and put an end to his existence. A couple of stout negroes were now sent up to see what was the matter; who, finding the bed all over bespattered with blood and brains, got orders to throw the body out of the window to the dogs, while the master and mistress were so very much alarmed, that they never got the better of it2; nor would any person consent to lie in the same apartment, till I chose it in preference to any other, being assuredly the most pleasant room, and the very best bed, in the house. What added much to the alarm of the family, was the circumstance of a favourite child lying fast asleep in the same apartment where this shocking catastrophe happened. They were, however, relieved from[307]their alarms on this score, by being informed that it had not received the smallest injury.
I had not been fourteen days on this plantation, when a female mulatto slave, calledYettee, for having jocosely said “her mistress had some debt as well as herself,” was stripped stark naked, and in a very indecent as well as inhuman manner flogged by two stout negroes before the dwelling-house door (while both her feet were locked to a heavy iron bolt) until hardly any skin was left on her thighs or sides. Five days after this I had the good fortune, however, to get her relieved from the iron-bolt, which was locked across her shins: but a Mrs.Van Eys, alledging she had affronted her also by hersaucylooks, prevailed on Mrs. Goetzee to renew the punishment the same week; when she was actually so cruelly beaten, that I expected she could not have survived it.
Disgusted with this barbarity, I left the estate Catwyk, determined never more to return toit: but I still accompanying Mr. Goetzee to visit some of his other plantations from curiosity, in Cottica and Pirica Rivers, at one of these, called theAlia, a new-born female infant was presented me by way of compliment, to give it a name, which I calledCharlotte. But the next morning, during breakfast, seven negroes were here again tied up and flogged, some with acow-skin, which is very terrible.—Hence I made my retreat to the estateSgraven-Hague, and there, meeting a mulatto youth in chains, whose name wasDouglas, I with horror recollected his unhappy father, who had[308]been obliged to leave him a slave, and was now dead. Heartily tired of my excursion, I was now glad to make haste back to Paramaribo; where, as soon as I arrived, the first news I heard was that Colonel Fourgeoud’s French valet-de-chambre, poorMonsieur Laurant, had actually been buried before he was quite dead;—and that, for having been found drunk in an ale-house, no less than thirteen of our men had most severely run the gauntlet, and as many been terribly bastinadoed, the greatest number of which no more saw Europe;—also, that a Quaderoon youth and a Dutch sailor were found murdered on the beach.—I was now proceeding to take a walk on the plain or esplanade, but here I was called in by Mr. St—k—r, who conducting me three stories high: “From this window”(said he)“afew days since, leaped one of my black boys, to escape a gentle flogging; however, having only fainted in consequence of his fall, we soon brought him to life again by a hearty scouring on the ribs, so he did not escape; after which, for having risked himself, that is to say his master’s property, and frightened my wife, she ordered him to be sent to Fort Zelandia, where he received the interest, that is a most confoundedspanso-bocko.”
The punishment calledspanso-bockois extremely severe indeed, and is executed in the following manner:—The prisoner’s hands being lashed together, he is laid down on the ground on one side, with his knees thrust between his arms, and these confined by a strong stake,[309]which separates them from his wrists, and is driven perpendicularly into the ground, insomuch that he can no more stir than if he was dead. In this locked position, trussed like a fowl, he is beaten on one side of his breech by a strong negro, with a handful of knotty tamarind branches, till the very flesh is cut away; he is then turned over on the other side, where the same dreadful flagellation is inflicted, till not a bit of skin is left, and the place of execution is dyed with blood: after which the raw lacerated wound is immediately washed with lemon-juice and gun-powder to prevent mortification, and then he is sent home to recover as well as he can.
The above cruel and indecent punishment is sometimes repeated at every street in the town of Paramaribo, to men and women indiscriminately, which is a severity absolutely beyond conception; however, it is neverthusinflicted without a condemnation from the court. But a singlespanso-bocko, without regard to age or sex, as I have just mentioned, may be ordered by any proprietor, either at home, or by sending the victim to the fortress, with a note to the public executioner, to whom some trifle in money is paid as a fee of office.
I next was addressed by a MonsieurRochetaux, whose Coromantyn cook, having spoiled hisragout, had just cut his own throat to prevent a whipping; and Mr. CharlesReynsdorp’s lately did the same.
After these facts, can it be a matter of surprize, that[310]the negro slaves rise up in rebellion against masters who treat them with so very much severity?
As I do not recollect that I have described in what manner these insurgents generally attack the estates, I cannot introduce it on a more proper occasion.
Having lain during the night lurking in the bushes that surround the estate, they always appear a little before day-break, when unexpectedly falling on and massacring the Europeans, they plunder the dwelling-house, which they next set on fire, and then carry off the negro women, whom they load with the spoil, and treat with the utmost insolence should they make opposition3.
And now farewell, I hope, ye wretched objects, who have not made the least conspicuous figure in these bloody pages! for which I should be more ready to apologize to the reader, had I not been induced to make cruelty ashamed of itself, and humanity gain ground: that at last, in some measure, my motive may be crowned with success, I most sincerely wish, abhorring every act of barbarity from the very bottom of my soul.
“Why,Christians, rage thine insolence and scorn,Why burst thy vengeance on the wretch forlorn?[311]The cheerless captive, to slow death consign’d,Weigh’d down with chains, in prison glooms confin’d;Of hope bereft,who, by thy minions curs’d,With hunger famish’d, and consum’d with thirst,Without one friend, when Death’s last horror stung,Roll’d the wild eye, and gnaw’d the anguish’d tongue.”
“Why,Christians, rage thine insolence and scorn,
Why burst thy vengeance on the wretch forlorn?[311]
The cheerless captive, to slow death consign’d,
Weigh’d down with chains, in prison glooms confin’d;
Of hope bereft,who, by thy minions curs’d,
With hunger famish’d, and consum’d with thirst,
Without one friend, when Death’s last horror stung,
Roll’d the wild eye, and gnaw’d the anguish’d tongue.”
I have already stated that on the 24th of August I gave in a hopeless request to the Governor for my boy’s emancipation; and on the 8th of October I saw with equal joy and surprize the following advertisement posted up, “That if any one could give in a lawful objection whyJohn Stedman, a Quaderoon infant, the son of Captain Stedman, should not be presented with the blessing of freedom, such person or persons to appear before January 1st, 1777.”—I no sooner read it, than I ran with the good news to my good friend, Mr. Palmer, who assured me, “that the above was no more than a form, put in practice on the supposition of my producing the bail required, which undoubtedly they expected, from my having so boldly given in my request to the Governor of the colony.”—Without being able to utter one syllable in reply, I retired to the company of Joanna, who, with a smile, bid me “never to despair, that Johnny certainly one day would be free;” nor did she ever fail in giving me some consolation, whatever desperate were my expectations.
About this time we were informed, that in the Utrecht paper an impertinentlibelhad appeared against the good[312]Fourgeoud, ridiculing him for his embassy to theOwcaandSeramecanegroes: which gentleman, though he had no assistance from thesealliesto expect, and his troops now melted down almost to nothing, nevertheless scorned to keep those that could stand upon their feet inactive. Thus, having provided the few remaining privates with new cloathes (thefirstthey had received since 1772); besides new sabres, bill-hooks, &c. he sent them all once more up, accompanied only by the subalterns, to be encamped at the mouth of the Cassipore Creek, in the upper parts of the Cottica river; the staff officers and captains being ordered soon to follow: and on the 7th we were treated by our commander, for thefirsttime, with a sirloin of good roast-beef, which, however, was sent him from Amsterdam, prepared as I have already described. At the dessert was a kind of fruit called in Surinampomme de canelle, or cinnamon-apple: it grows on a shrub in most gardens at Paramaribo, and has something the appearance of a young artichoke, being covered with a kind of green scales. The skin of this fruit is half an inch thick, and the pulp like clotted cream mixed with brown sugar: it is very sweet, but not much esteemed by many palates, being rather too luscious; the seeds, which are black, hard, and large, are contained in the pulp or creamy substance.
Having now prepared myself once more for actual service, and again received a profusion of wine, spirits, and refreshments of every kind, to carry with me to the[313]woods, from different friends at Paramaribo; I left my dear mulatto and her boy to the care of that excellent woman Mrs. Godefroy, in order the following day to set out on myseventhcampaign, and help, if possible, to compleat that business we had so long and so ardently undertaken, for the safety and welfare of this valuable colony, and itslawfulinhabitants of every denomination; while happily my health and my spirits were at this time once more just as vigorous and as strong, with all my limbs as perfectly sound, as the very first day that I landed, with Colonel Fourgeoud and his regiment of marines, inTerra Firma.[314]
1At Demerary, so late as October, 1789, thirty-two wretches were executed in three days, sixteen of whom suffered in the manner just described, with no less fortitude, and without uttering one single complaint.↑2The above unhappy people were poisoned by their slaves about six years after this happened.↑3For minute particulars I cannot do better than refer the curious to Mr.Belknap’s History ofNew Hampshire; where he describes the insurrection of the American Indians, which are almost perfectly similar to those of the African negroes.↑
1At Demerary, so late as October, 1789, thirty-two wretches were executed in three days, sixteen of whom suffered in the manner just described, with no less fortitude, and without uttering one single complaint.↑2The above unhappy people were poisoned by their slaves about six years after this happened.↑3For minute particulars I cannot do better than refer the curious to Mr.Belknap’s History ofNew Hampshire; where he describes the insurrection of the American Indians, which are almost perfectly similar to those of the African negroes.↑
1At Demerary, so late as October, 1789, thirty-two wretches were executed in three days, sixteen of whom suffered in the manner just described, with no less fortitude, and without uttering one single complaint.↑
1At Demerary, so late as October, 1789, thirty-two wretches were executed in three days, sixteen of whom suffered in the manner just described, with no less fortitude, and without uttering one single complaint.↑
2The above unhappy people were poisoned by their slaves about six years after this happened.↑
2The above unhappy people were poisoned by their slaves about six years after this happened.↑
3For minute particulars I cannot do better than refer the curious to Mr.Belknap’s History ofNew Hampshire; where he describes the insurrection of the American Indians, which are almost perfectly similar to those of the African negroes.↑
3For minute particulars I cannot do better than refer the curious to Mr.Belknap’s History ofNew Hampshire; where he describes the insurrection of the American Indians, which are almost perfectly similar to those of the African negroes.↑