And then for shooting,
what they cannot take, or reach with their hands, they do with arrows;
and have so admirable an aim that they will split almost an hair,
and at any distance that an arrow can reach: they will shoot down
oranges and other fruit, and only touch the stalk with the dart's
point, that they may not hurt the fruit. So that they being on all
occasions very useful to us, we find it absolutely necessary to caress
'em as friends, and not to treat 'em as slaves, nor dare we do
other, their numbers so far surpassing ours in that continent.
Those then whom we make use of to work in our plantations of sugar
are negroes, black slaves altogether, who are transported thither in
this manner.
Those who want slaves make a bargain with a master or a captain of a
ship, and contract to pay him so much apiece, a matter of twenty pound
a head, for as many as he agrees for, and to pay for 'em when they
shall be delivered on such a plantation: so that when there arrives
a ship laden with slaves, they who have so contracted go aboard, and
receive their number by lot; and perhaps in one lot that may be for
ten, there may happen to be three or four men, the rest women and
children. Or be there more or less of either sex, you are obliged to
be contented with your lot.
Coramantien, a country of blacks so called, was one of those
places in which they found the most advantageous trading for these
slaves, and thither most of our great traders in that merchandise
traffic; for that nation is very warlike and brave: and having a
continual campaign, being always in hostility with one neighboring
prince or other, they had the fortune to take a great many captives:
for all they took in battle were sold as slaves; at least those common
men who could not ransom themselves.
Pages:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25