EXPEDITION TO SURINAM. 



201 



Before thefe wretches, which might be in all about c H A F. 

 fixty in number, walked a failor, and another followed 

 behind with a bamboo-rattan ; the one ferving as a fiiep- 

 herd to lead them alons;, and the other as his do^- to 

 worry them occafionally, fliould any one lag behind, or 

 wander away from the flock. At the fame time, how- 

 ever, equity demands the acknowledgment, that inflead 

 of all thofe horrid and dejected countenances which are 

 defcribed in pamphlets and news-papers, I perceived not 

 one fingle downcaft look amongft them all ; and I muft 

 add, that the punifliment of the bamboo was infiided 

 with the utmoft moderation by the failor who brought 

 ■up the rear. 



Having viewed this fad affemblage of my fellow-crea- 

 tures with amazement, I drove home to my lodgings in a 

 ftate of perfect humiliation ; where I noted down, as I 

 could learn it from the befl: authority, both white and 

 black, what is really the fate of thefe people, from the 

 laft moment of their liberty in Africa, to the prefent pe- 

 riod of their flavery in America: and this I fhall en- 

 deavour to relate, preceded by a few of my own unbiafled 

 fentiments upon the Slave Trade, which has lately been 

 the object of both public and private inveiligation ; and 

 this, I truft, I fliall do with that candour and impartiality 

 which not only every gentleman, but every man, fliould 

 think it neceffary to be poffefled of. 



It has hQQn faid. Will youj for the fake of drinking rum, 

 Vol. I. D d aud 



