232 



peftle and then leaving it to fall from Us own 

 weight. 



I am moft happy to conclude my report 

 of this vilit by informing you that we difcover- 

 ed no marks of thofe horrors and cruelties, faid 

 to be pradifed on board the fliips occupied in 

 this fad traffic of human flefh ; and which are 

 reprefented as fo frightfully augmenting the 

 manifold ills of flavery. Chains, ftripes, and 

 feverities did not feem to have bee nin thq 

 catalogue of means employed in conveying 

 thefe poor Africans to their American mafters. 

 Our minds, nece{rarily, fuffered in contempla- 

 ting the degrading praftlces of civilized beings 

 towards the lefs cultivated brethren of their 

 fpecies : but the eye was not fhocked by the 

 abufes of tyranny and inhumanity. The 

 comfort and health of the flaves were pro- 

 moted with every care. Being fond of wafh- 

 ing in cold water, they were encouraged to 

 the free ufe of it ; and their perfons, as well as 

 the whole of the (hip, were kept remarkably 

 clean. They were plentifully fed ; and, in 

 the day-time, were difperfed about the fhip, fq 

 as to be prevented, as much as poffible, froixi. 



