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Updated: June 12, 2025
Mr Berecroft had made every preparation for his voyage, when an unexpected circumstance occurred, which eventually proved the occasion of great hardship and danger to Newton.
Their host did the honours of his table with true West Indian hospitality, circulating the bottle after dinner with a rapidity which would soon have produced an effect upon less prudent visitors; and when Mr Berecroft refused to take any more wine, he ordered the ingredients for arrack punch. "Now, Mr Forster, you must take a tumbler of this, and I think that you'll pronounce it excellent."
Mr Berecroft, who had been listening to the colloquy, took up the discourse. "Were you born in this country?" "No, sar! me Ashantee man." "Then how did you come here?" "Why, sar, ab very fine battle in Ashantee country. Take me and send me down to coast; sell me for slave. Go on board French schooner English frigate take schooner, send me to Sarra Leon." "Well, what did you do there?"
It was contained in a glass bowl, capable of holding two gallons, standing upon a single stalk, and bearing the appearance of a Brobdignag rummer. Boy Jack brought it with both hands, and placed it before his master. "Now, sir, will you drink?" said the planter, addressing Mr Berecroft. "Thank you," replied Mr Berecroft, "I never drink so early in the morning."
Come, captain, what name do you propose?" "Suppose we christen him Snub," replied Berecroft, winking at the rest. "Snob! What sart a name you call dat, sar?" replied the woman, tossing up her head. "Snob! no, sar, you 'front me very much. Snob not proper name." "Well, then, Mr Forster," said the planter, "try if you can be more fortunate."
Mr Berecroft, who perceived the effect of the arrack punch, could not refrain from laughing, as he replied, "Well, your friend Mr Kingston, is he not free?" "Free! Not half so free as that slave boy who stands behind your chair.
After this specimen of animosity, which was duly reported to Mr Berecroft, on his return on board, by the seamen, who detested Jackson, and any thing like foul play, his protector determined that Newton should no longer be subjected to further violence.
Such was Mr Berecroft; and we have little further to add, except that he was very superior to the generality of masters of merchant vessels. His family, it was reported, were strict Quakers. Jackson, the first mate, was a bull-headed, sandy-haired Northumbrian; as we before stated, a relation of the owner's, or he never would have been permitted to remain in the ship.
"Well, captain, now you have witnessed what is termed slavery, what is your opinion? Are your philanthropists justified in their invectives against us?" "First assure me that all other plantations are as well regulated as your own," replied Mr Berecroft.
The company amused themselves with distributing to the children the contents of the dishes on the table the elder ones nestling alongside of the planter and his friends with the greatest familiarity, while the youngest sat upright on the floor, laughing as they devoured their respective portions. "Of course, these are all slaves?" observed Mr Berecroft.
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