(SLAVERY AND ABOLITION CUBA) Testimony in the Investigation

Sale 2308 - Lot 78

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(SLAVERY AND ABOLITION--CUBA.) Testimony in the Investigation of the death of Numerous Chinese Colonists aboard the Spanish Bark "Encarnacion," en route to Havana from Macao. 20 folio sheets in 5 numbered parts, in Spanish with the signatures of Chinese witnesses in Chinese characters; Spanish tax stamps at the head of each first leaf. should be seen. Havana, 1875

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A rare and fascinating series of interrogations of both crew members and Chinese "colonists" aboard the ship Encarnacion, regarding the treatment of the colonists during the nine thousand mile voyage from Macao to Habana. This represented a trek of more than twice the duration of the "Middle-passage" from Africa. As a result there was a great deal of sickness aboard, and many died. The questions were asked: "how long were the bodies allowed to lie about, before they were consigned to the water?" "How often and just how were the living quarters cleaned?" The questions about hygiene , food etc continue in this vein, but the Chinese were also questioned about the use of opium. At the time of this enquiry, over a quarter of China's male population were habitual users of opium. In reply to a question specifically about the use of the opium, all who were asked had the same reply--- that the opium ran out soon after they were under way; and when it did, "the captain gave them some pills to rid them of the habit." Though it's not clear what he gave them, it was very possibly morphine, which came into general use about 1830-and would certainly have alleviate their withdrawal symptoms, but certainly would not have rid them of the habit.