Reflection

This class has been a great learning experience. I think I stated before my knowledge slavery was pretty much what they teach you in HS which is basically about plantation life. I had no idea there was so much involved in the slave trading business, nor had I known it was so lucrative.
I also enjoyed researching different aspects of the business. It's been a real enjoyable class.

I have enjoyed this class so much and it was my first online class since I've been attending college(-10years) that I signed up for all online classes for the summer and fall. I really didn't think I would be diciplined enough to take an online class. I've been attending campus classes for so long and rather depended on the regimented schedule of having to be at a specific place at a specific time. However, I do find myself almost addicted to checking the course posts. So in fact that I actually would look forward to coming home from work to check (and several times a day
at that).

summer: World Fairy Tales & Library Tech Class
Fall: Soc of Aging and Dealth, Modern Short Story & Canadian Studies

The Fairy Tale class should be really interesting. If all goes well I'm looking at an expected graduation in the Spring of 2009...here's hoping.

More of the Speech

Having now disposed of the first part of this subject, I must speak of the transit of the slaves in the West Indies. This I confess, in my own opinion, is the most wretched part of the whole subject. So much misery condensed in so little room, is more than the human imagination had ever before conceived. I will not accuse the Liverpool merchants: I will allow them, nay, I will believe them to be men of humanity; and I will therefore believe, if it were not for the enormous magnitude and extent of the evil which distracts their attention from individual cases, and makes them think generally, and therefore less feelingly on the subject, they would never have persisted in the trade. I verily believe therefore, if the wretchedness of any one of the many hundred Negroes stowed in each ship could be brought before their view, and remain within the sight of the African Merchant, that there is no one among them whose heart would bear it. Let any one imagine to himself 6 or 700 of these wretches chained two and two, surrounded with every object that is nauseous and disgusting, diseased, and struggling under every kind of wretchedness! How can we bear to think of such a scene as this? One would think it had been determined to heap upon them all the varieties of bodily pain, for the purpose of blunting the feelings of the mind; and yet, in this very point (to show the power of human prejudice) the situation of the slaves has been described by Mr. Norris, one of the Liverpool delegates, in a manner which, I am sure will convince the House how interest can draw a film across the eyes, so thick, that total blindness could do no more; and how it is our duty therefore to trust not to the reasonings of interested men, or to their way of colouring a transaction. “Their apartments,” says Mr. Norris, “are fitted up as much for their advantage as circumstances will admit. The right ancle of one, indeed is connected with the left ancle of another by a small iron fetter, and if they are turbulent, by another on their wrists. They have several meals a day; some of their own country provisions, with the best sauces of African cookery; and by way of variety, another meal of pulse, &c. according to European taste. After breakfast they have water to wash themselves, while their apartments are perfumed with frankincense and lime-juice. Before dinner, they are amused after the manner of their country. The song and dance are promoted,” and, as if the whole was really a scene of pleasure and dissipation it is added, that games of chance are furnished. “The men play and sing, while the women and girls make fanciful ornaments with beads, which they are plentifully supplied with.” Such is the sort of strain in which the Liverpool delegates, and particularly Mr. Norris, gave evidence before the privy council. What will the House think when, by the concurring testimony of other witnesses, the true history is laid open. The slaves who are sometimes described as rejoicing at their captivity, are so wrung with misery at leaving their country, that it is the constant practice to set sail at night, lest they should be sensible of their departure. The pulse which Mr. Norris talks of are horse beans; and the scantiness, both of water and provision, was suggested by the very legislature of Jamaica in the report of their committee, to be a subject that called for the interference of parliament. Mr. Norris talks of frankincense and lime juice; when surgeons tell you the slaves are stowed so close, that there is not room to tread among them: and when you have it in evidence from sir George Yonge, that even in a ship which wanted 200 of her complement, the stench was intolerable. The song and the dance, says Mr. Norris, are promoted. It had been more fair, perhaps, if he had explained that word promoted. The truth is, that for the sake of exercise, these miserable wretches, loaded with chains, oppressed with disease and wretchedness, are forced to dance by the terror of the lash, and sometimes by the actual use of it. “I,” says one of the other evidences, “was employed to dance the men, while another person danced the women.” Such, then is the meaning of the word promoted; and it may be observed too, with respect to food, that an instrument is sometimes carried out, in order to force them to eat which is the same sort of proof how much they enjoy themselves in that instance also. As to their singing, what shall we say when we are told that their songs are songs of lamentation upon their departure which, while they sing, are always in tears, insomuch that one captain (more humane as I should conceive him, therefore, than the rest) threatened one of the women with a flogging, because the mournfulness of her song was too painful for his feelings. In order, however, not to trust too much to any sort of description, I will call the attention of the House to one species of evidence which is absolutely infallible. Death, at least, is a sure ground of evidence, and the proportion of deaths will not only confirm, but if possible will even aggravate our suspicion of their misery in the transit. It will be found, upon an average of all the ships of which evidence has been given at the privy council, that exclusive of those who perish before they sail, not less than 12½ per cent. perish in the passage. Besides these, the Jamaica report tells you, that not less than 4½ per cent. die on shore before the day of sale, which is only a week or two from the time of landing. One third more die in the seasoning, and this in a country exactly like their own, where they are healthy and happy as some of the evidences would pretend. The diseases, however, which they contract on shipboard, the astringent washes which are to hide their wounds, and the mischievous tricks used to make them up for sale, are, as the Jamaica report says, (a most precious and valuable report, which I shall often have to advert to) one principle cause of this mortality. Upon the whole, however, here is a mortality of about 50 per cent. and this among negroes who are not bought unless (as the phrase is with cattle) they are sound in wind and limb. How then can the House refuse its belief to the multiplied testimonies before the privy council, of the savage treatment of the negroes in the middle passage? Nay, indeed, what need is there of any evidence? The number of deaths speaks for itself, and makes all such enquiry superfluous. As soon as ever I had arrived thus far in my investigation of the slave trade, I confess to you sir, so enormous so dreadful, so irremediable did its wickedness appear that my own mind was completely made up for the abolition. A trade founded in iniquity, and carried on as this was, must be abolished, let the policy be what it might,—let the consequences be what they would, I from this time determined that I would never rest till I had effected its abolition.

http://www.brycchancarey.com/abolition/wilberforce2.htm

Wilberforce Speech

"When I consider the magnitude of the subject which I am to bring before the House—a subject, in which the interests, not of this country, nor of Europe alone, but of the whole world, and of posterity, are involved: and when I think, at the same time, on the weakness of the advocate who has undertaken this great cause—when these reflections press upon my mind, it is impossible for me not to feel both terrified and concerned at my own inadequacy to such a task. But when I reflect, however, on the encouragement which I have had, through the whole course of a long and laborious examination of this question, and how much candour I have experienced, and how conviction has increased within my own mind, in proportion as I have advanced in my labours;—when I reflect, especially, that however averse any gentleman may now be, yet we shall all be of one opinion in the end;—when I turn myself to these thoughts, I take courage—I determine to forget all my other fears, and I march forward with a firmer step in the full assurance that my cause will bear me out, and that I shall be able to justify upon the clearest principles, every resolution in my hand, the avowed end of which is, the total abolition of the slave trade. I wish exceedingly, in the outset, to guard both myself and the House from entering into the subject with any sort of passion. It is not their passions I shall appeal to—I ask only for their cool and impartial reason; and I wish not to take them by surprise, but to deliberate, point by point, upon every part of this question. I mean not to accuse any one, but to take the shame upon myself, in common, indeed, with the whole parliament of Great Britain, for having suffered this horrid trade to be carried on under their authority. We are all guilty—we ought all to plead guilty, and not to exculpate ourselves by throwing the blame on others; and I therefore deprecate every kind of reflection against the various descriptions of people who are more immediately involved in this wretched business."

http://www.brycchancarey.com/abolition/wilberforce2.htm

William Wilberforce wrote on Sunday, October 28, 1787, in his journal:
"God Almighty has set before me two great objects, the suppression of the Slave Trade and the Reformation Manners.”

http://www.wilberforcecentral.org/wfc/Wilberforce/index.htm

Sullivan's island SC

My mom and dad just got back from South Carolina and my mom heard that Sullivan's Island, which is where they were was a slave port. She had taken some pictures that told the history but they had some technical difficulties with my dad's new camera. So I decided to research the town myself.

The island was known as O'Sullivan's Island from an early date, because of the Irishman, Captain Florence O'Sullivan, who was stationed as a lighthouse keeper in the late seventeenth century. The island was completely denuded in order to distinguish the approach to Charleston Harbor. Sullivan's Island was the primary disembarkation port and entrance to the British North American colonies of over 40% (4-8 Million Persons) of the Slave traded Blacks to the British Colonies using the Middle Passage. [1] It was the largest slave port in North America. Sullivans Island served as the primary quarantine quarters and slave market for the American Colonies that would later become the United States. It is estimated that nearly half of all African Americans had ancestors that passed through Sullivans Island. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sullivan's_Island,_South_Carolina

Back from Europe

Omigod, first of all I can't get adjusted to the time change or this lousy weather. I'd rather be back in Italy where is was sunny and 60's. This trip was the most amazing thing that has happened to me in a long time. I got to see the Vatican, the Roman ruins, the Colosseum, the Greek ruins, Pompeii, Stonehenge, long barrows, some of the oldest stuff in the world. I went with 2 friends from work. Sean was amazing. The guy had a degree in anthropology and gave us the complete history on everything we saw. (Ancient Rome was his expertise) It was like a class trip- a real learning experience. I enjoyed Rome much more than England. England is a nice, polite, clean place to live, but Rome-Rome has some serious history. Now the tough part is getting back into the swing of things....ie:work, school, diet (hahahha). Ok....back to reality....see you there!!

2 weeks!!!!

Ok I can't stand it, in 13 days I will be in Rome. I've actually been to Europe before- Spain and Africa (Morrocco), but that was 20 years ago. I'm looking forward to Rome and Pompei. In England I'm looking forward to Stonehenge. So much history...so little time. I'm gonna miss Goose the most, she's a 3 year weimaraner and a spaz!!!! Like mother like daughter hahahaha. She will be at doggy daycare, her favorite place!

Slavery in Ancient Rome

Since I was going to be Rome in a few weeks, I thought I would research slavery in ancient Rome. Slavery was common throughout ancient history but the Romans owned more slaves than any other people in history. It is estimated that anwhere from 25-35% of the people in ancient Rome were slaves. Slaves were sold in slave markets. Slaves were soldiers captured in war while others were born to slave parents. There was a law that said a father could sell his older children if he needed the money.

Slaves performed many duties: they were farmers, shop managers, and public workers. Slaves in ancient Rome were given many privileges and treated rather well. In fact, the Saturnalia Festival allowed masters and slaves to switch places for a day. This was so that both may be thankful for each other and enjoy a good time.

Some Romans were not as kind to their slaves. They received cruel and inhumane treatment, some were sold into prostitution, and physically abused. Some were gladiators that had to fight animals to the death for entertainment of the Romans. One famous gladiator, Spartacus led a slave revolt that destroyed several Roman armies.

Once bought as a slave you were usually a slave for life. Freeing a slave was called "manumissio" meaning 'sending out from the hand'. Done publically by a public official who would touch the slaves head with a staff and he was free to go. There were only a few ways a slave could be freed : a good deed toward the master, by statement in a master's will upon death, or raising enough money to buy your freedom for the same amount your master paid for you; this was virtually impossible as slaves were not allowed to own money. Emperor Augustus passed a law proclaiming that no Roman slave could be freed before the age of 30.

www.historylearningsite.co.uk/roman_slaves.htm

http://en.wikipedia.or/wiki/slavery_in_ancient_rome

William Wilberforce Biography

William Wilberforce was born in Kingston-upon-Hull, England in 1759 to a wealthy Methodist family. At 17, he went to St. John College in Cambridge. It was there he became good friends with William Pitt, who later would become Britain's youngest prime minister. At the age of 20, William left university for a career in politics. At 24 he was elected to Parliament for the county seat of Yorkshire. In 1759, he coverted to Evangelical Christianity and became interested in social reform. It was then that he was approached by Lady Millington to help bring an end to the slave trade.

Petitions to end the slave trade had been introduced twice before, once in 1783 and again in 1787, but were unsucessful. In 1791, Wilberforce presented his first bill to abolish the slave trade and it too was defeated. He did so again in 1792, and it was suggested there be an amendment to his Abolition Bill that used the word "gradual"-making gradual abolition the law. This still was still to mean - no total abolition. Wilberforce had introduced his Abolition Bill almost every year in the 1790's, then again in 1804 and 1805, but still no luck.

Finally, in 1807 with the support of the new Whig Administration, Parliament voted in favor of abolition and the Abolition Act finally became a law making slave trading on British ships illegal. However, slavery still existed in the British colonies. In 1812, Wilberforce started work on a Slavery Registration Bill. The bill stated that if slaves were registered than it could prove whether they had been recently transported from Africa.

In 1825, Wilberforce resigned from the House of Commons but continued to speak about ending slavery in the British colonies. IN 1833 Parliament finally passed the Slavery Abolition Act. This act gave all slaves in the British empire their freedom. Three days after the act was passed, Wilberforce died.

http://www.brycchancarey.com/abolition/wilberforce.html

www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/REwilberforce.htm

Willian Wilberforce and Olaudah Equiano

In the interest of previosly mentioned research on the burial site of William Wilberforce at Westminster Abbey I found out that Wilberforce had originally chosen a vault at Stoke Newington. (A district in the London Borough of Hackney) However, Parliament had made a formal demand to his sons for his interment at Westminster Abbey (North Transept) He is buried near his good friend and former Prime Minister William Pitt. (More on Wilberforce later)

www.orwin.karoo.net/people/dead/People/wilberforce.html

Olaudah Equiano, a former slave who helped influence Parliament to abolish the slave trade is buried in Stoke Newington. Equiano was lucky enough (besides being captured and traded several times) to eventually free himself from slavery. He was able to read and write and he possessed seaman skills which made him undesirable to slave traders. He was bought by Robert King from Philadelphia who wanted him to work his shipping routes and in his stores and offered him a chance to buy his freedom. When he made enough money he was able to buy his freedom for the exact price that King had paid for him. King taught him further reading and writing, taught him Christianity, and allowed him to engage in trading. Once he bought his freedom he returned to England to join William Wilberforce in his crusade to end the slave trade in England.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/olaudah_equiano

First time Blogger

Ok, so I did it!!!! This is my first official Blog. Yeah!! I'm still learning as I go along. As soon as I figure out exactly how this works I will begin posting my findings on the Atlantic slave trade as well as information on slavery as it applys to the web project and my upcoming trip to Europe.