Details
A True Relation of the Inhumane and Unparallel'd Actions and Barbarous Murders of Negroes or Moors: Committed on three English-men in Old Calabar in Guinny. London: for T. Passinger and B. Hurlock 1672. 8vo, [A] B-C4 D2, 10 leaves, modern half calf, gutters reinforced throughout (original stab-holes preserved), one or two minor repairs not affecting text, title and last leaf darkened and stained, foxing and discoloration throughout. Wing T2970 (2 locations only).
Unique edition of the account of the adventures of John Watts, as related to his uncle Richard Watts, a notary from Deal. In 1668 the young Watts, aged 18, had shipped aboard the Peach-tree, a slaving vessel bound for Guinea and the West Indies. Slaves were taken on in Old Calabar, on the Cross River, but just as the ship was about to set sail for Barbados, the Captain ordered Watts and three other men ashore to try to recover some "Copper bars" that had been left behind. As soon as he set ashore Watts was waylaid by local inhabitants who coveted his linen and wool clothing; in trying to defend him one of his companions was wounded and was promptly beheaded and eaten by the locals. The remaining prisoners were left unharmed until they each fell sick, at which point they received the same treatment. Watts survived, and was traded around among the local chiefs, one of whom eventually sold him to an English captain. The last 8 pages contain a description of local customs.
Provenance: The Charles F. Heartman Collection of Material Relating to Negro Culture, bookplate.
Unique edition of the account of the adventures of John Watts, as related to his uncle Richard Watts, a notary from Deal. In 1668 the young Watts, aged 18, had shipped aboard the Peach-tree, a slaving vessel bound for Guinea and the West Indies. Slaves were taken on in Old Calabar, on the Cross River, but just as the ship was about to set sail for Barbados, the Captain ordered Watts and three other men ashore to try to recover some "Copper bars" that had been left behind. As soon as he set ashore Watts was waylaid by local inhabitants who coveted his linen and wool clothing; in trying to defend him one of his companions was wounded and was promptly beheaded and eaten by the locals. The remaining prisoners were left unharmed until they each fell sick, at which point they received the same treatment. Watts survived, and was traded around among the local chiefs, one of whom eventually sold him to an English captain. The last 8 pages contain a description of local customs.
Provenance: The Charles F. Heartman Collection of Material Relating to Negro Culture, bookplate.