58 
both sexes, stood or sat the whole day, in these shops, or in front 
of them, to exhibit themselves, and wait for purchasers. The 
abomination is shocking, and the barbarity and indifference, 
produced by the custom in white men, is indescribable. * 
There were subscription balls given in New Orleans, to which 
the managers had the politeness to invite us. These balls took 
place twice a week, Tuesdays and Fridays, at the French theatre, 
where the masquerade had been, which I mentioned before. 
None but good society were admitted to these subscription balls; 
the first that we attended was not crowded, however, the gene¬ 
rality of the ladies present were very pretty, and had a very 
genteel French air. The dress was extremely elegant, and after 
the latest Paris fashion. The ladies danced, upon the whole, 
excellently, and did great honour to their French teachers. 
Dancing, and some instruction in music, is almost the whole 
education of the female creoles. 
Most of the gentlemen here are far behind the ladies in ele¬ 
gance. They did not remain long at the ball, but hasted away 
to the quadroon ball, so called, where they amused themselves 
more, and were more at their ease. This was the reason why 
there were more ladies than gentlemen present at the ball, and 
that many were obliged to form “ tapestry. 99 When a lady is 
left sitting, she is said to be u bredouille.” Two cotillions and 
a waltz, are danced in succession, and there is hardly an interval 
of two or three minutes between the dances. The music was 
performed by negroes and coloured people, and was pretty good. 
The governor was also at the ball, and introduced me to several 
gentlemen, among others, a Frenchman, General Garrigues de 
Flaugeac, who, having emigrated here from St. Domingo, had mar¬ 
ried, and given the world some very handsome daughters. Several 
of the French familes here settled, and indeed, the most respect¬ 
able, were emigrants from that island, who wait for the indem- 
* Among the slave traders, a Hollander from Amsterdam, disgusted me par¬ 
ticularly, his name was Jacobs. He had the most vulgar and sinister counte¬ 
nance imaginable, was constantly drunk, and treated the wretched negroes 
in the most brutal manner; he was, however, severely beaten by these miser¬ 
able beings, driven to despair, f 
t The virtuous indignation of the Duke, at these horrible consequences of slavery, is such as every man, 
not hardened by long familiarity with such scenes, must feel; those to whom they are daily presented regard 
them with calm indifference, or even attempt to argue in favour of their continuance and harmlessness. It is 
not qs generally known, as it should be, that the slave trade is carried on, almost as vigorously now, as ever it 
was, and by citizens of almost every nation; not in the least excepting Americans. The slave vessels sail prin¬ 
cipally from Havanna and St. Thomas, and land their cargoes on the island of Puerto Rico, and elsewhere, 
whither purchasers and agents resort, when such an arrival occurs. Two schooners, with large cargoes, ar¬ 
rived in Puerto Rico in February last, and two brigs were daily expected. It is said in the West Indies, that 
all ships of war, of powers owning West India Colonies, connive at the trade, which is fully supported by facts; 
as French, Danish, and English cruisers were in the vicinity, when the above mentioned cargoes arrived. The 
idea of cruising off the coast of Africa, to provent the trade, is ridiculed by the slave dealers, Avith one of whom 
the writer of this note conversed. If the American, or any other government really ivislied to put an end to this 
trade, it could be very effectually accomplished, by sending small armed vessels to intercept the slave traders 
near their places of landing cargoes, Avhich are not very numerous. It is also said, in the West Indies, that the 
Havanna traders still contrive to introduce Africans into the southern part of the United States; of the truth 
or falsehood of this, we know nothing. The slave vessels are generally Baltimore clipper brigs, and schooners, 
completely armed and very fast sailers. Two of them sailed on this execrable trade in February last, from ft 
port visited by the writer.— Trans. 
