From Africa to Jamaica: The Making of an Atlantic Slave Society, 1775–1807

Appendix. Thirteen Documents Relating to the Voyage of the Slave Ship African Queen (July 1792–May 1793)

Appendix Thirteen Documents Relating to the Voyage of the Slave Ship African Queen (July 1792–May 1793) These transcribed documents were written to Bristol merchant James Rogers , the owner of the African Queen. The punctuation is generally consistent with the original letters. The spellings are true to the original. Illegible words are indicated by [ . . . ]. The names of slave ships are italicized for clarity and to provide context to the content of each document. All letters are located in the James Rogers Collection (C107/1–15, 59), housed at the National Archives (Kew Gardens) of the United Kingdom. 120 · Appendix 1) Hamet Forsyth to James Rogers, July 9th, 1792, C107/13 Context: The captain of the African Queen, Samuel Stribling, has died while the ship is in Africa. The letter is from Hamet Forsyth, who has taken command of the vessel. Old Calabar 9 July 1792 Mr. James Rogers Sir, this my Second and p[er] Ship Fame informing you of her arrival [ . . . ] 28 June last and receiving her Cargo on Board [ . . . ] African Queen agreeable to Invoice, likewise your letters, have been Oblidged [sic] to stop Trade five weeks not having a proper assortment of Cloth & then having purchaced [sic] 290 and on trust 160 Slaves, oweing [sic] to the great Mortality dayly [sic] in this river being the sickly time for the year, was fearfull [sic] of having too many Slaves on Board, and provisions for them are very high, at same time giveing [sic] up all hopes of the [ship] Fames Arrival, f[rom] the Acc[ount] of short passages made f[rom] Liverpool, here, the day before her arrival began to rig the A[frican] Queen and should have sailed in three weeks—now meting [sic] with a little longer detention but am in great hopes will not exceed six weeks—their [sic] is now in this river three Liverpool ships—Perceverance, Kitty, & George, and each expect[ing] Tenders dayley [sic] and are in great opposition against each others. Likewise 2 French Ships near the same but flatter myself the ship A[frican] Queen will meet her part much sooner than some of the above mentioned the Copper’s are now on Slaves in this river f[rom] 180 to 200. I am very Sorry to inform you of the loss of forty one Negroes besides Cap[tain] Stribling and Nine [white] Men although the Greatest Care and attention has been paid them during their Sickness—at foot have the Acc[ount] of Names—have put on Board the Ship Fran Twenty Pun[cheons] Palm Oil 409 pounds Ivovory [sic] marks AQ [ . . . ] to 53 being Teeth & Scravelias1 [sic, scrivellos], Men Slave 58 & 1 Man Boy, 128 Women, 11 Girls & 3 Infants being her Compliment [sic] and I have put a sufficient Quantity of all kind of provisions on board for a three months passage & [at the] same time am sorry [I] could not procure more Male slaves, being so scarce oweing [sic] to marching them through the Cuntry [sic] for the Camaroo where they receive a Appendix · 121 greater price for them. Inclosed you have a receipt f[rom] Cap[tain] Jenkins of his Cargoe [sic], which [I] hope will meet good sales. I remain your Ever Dutiful Serv[ant] H. Forsyth. [Deceased] Cap[tain] Stribling W[illiam] Stephens Jno McKinley Tho[mas] Harvey Sick David Aires Mr. Loyd [sic] Martin Gibson Frank Guy Henery [sic] Watts Mr. Lang Tho[mas] Rankin Jas Wright William Ames John Dixon James Coaks Tho[mas] Magness 122 · Appendix 2) William Blake to James Rogers, 11th November 1792, C107/5 Context: Captain Hamet Forsyth is dead. Command of the African Queen has been passed on to John Long. The letter is from Captain William Blake, who was also employed by James Rogers and trading at Old Calabar. Old Callabar, 11th November 1792 Sir, This my 5 pr ship African Queen am sorry the ship has buried to [sic] Commanders & the 3rd not fit to Command the ship we here have been obliged to Upoint [sic] Mr. [John] Long to the Command and have bound him to act agreeable with the Doctor & Officers for the good of the Voyage had not the Rodney been here or some other ship this ship must have Totally lost all—the slaves that are on board are some good & some bad the number are 295 300—Am sorry my tender is not arrived shall be obliged to [ . . . ] my own ship in course...