Slaves Defend British Slave Ship Against Spanish Privateer, 1740
“Williamsburg, in Virginia, July 10 [1740]. This Week arrived in York River, the Snow Seaflower, Capt. Edwards, (the former Capt. being dead) from Guinea, with 159 Slaves, consigned to Col. Braxton & Son. They met with a Spanish Snow, about 90 Tons, in Lat. 27, 17, No. Long. 67, 7, W. who hoisted a French Jack, and fired several Shot at them, and threatened if they did not immediately strike, they would give them no Quarter; the Capt. gave them the like Answer; and tho’ he had but 6 Sailors and a Boy, and none of them would stand by him but the Boatswain, yet he was resolv’d to make the best Defence he could, and accordingly fired a Broadside into the Privateer (which burst one of his own Guns,) he got up the Chest of small Arms, put Firelocks, Pistols, and Cutlasses into the Hands of some of the Negroes, whom he made to understand him, who fought so desperately in their Way, shooting, slashing, and throwing Fire into the Privateer, when they attempted twice to board him, that by their Bravery they sav’d the Ship and Cargo, and oblig’d the Privateer (who acknowledg’d he was fitted out in Hispaniola) to sheer off without doing any considerable Damage.”
Pennsylvania Gazette, July 30, 1740.
Posted in privateer, slave trade, slavery, War of Jenkin's Ear |
