Page:Abstract of the evidence for the abolition of the slave-trade 1791.djvu/102

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The paged version of this document contained the following header content in the margin: Extraordinary punishments of many kinds.

a domestick slave, running in the streets on her ordinary business with an iron collar, having two hooks projecting several inches both before and behind.


Captain Ross, speaking of the country, has known slaves severely punished, then put into the stocks, a cattle chain of sixty or seventy pounds weight put on them, and a large collar about their necks, and a weight of fifty- six pounds fastened to the chain when they were drove a-field.


Mr Cook states that, when runaways are brought in, they are generally severely flogged, and sometimes have an iron boot put on one or both legs, and a chain or collar round their neck. The chain is locked, the collar fastened on by a rivet. When the collar is with three projections, it is impossible for them to lie down to sleep: even with two, they must lie uneasily. He has seen collars with four projections. He never knew any injury from the chain and collar, but severely galling their necks. He has, however, known a negro lose his leg from wearing the iron boot.


2.Mr. Dalrymple, in June 1789, saw a negress brought to St. George's, Grenada, to have her fingers cut off. She had committed a fault, and ran away to avoid punishment; but being taken, her master suspended her by the hands, flogged and cut her cruelly on the back, belly, breast, and thighs, and then left her suspended till her fingers mortified. In this state Mr Dalrymple saw her at Dr. Gilpin's house.


3.Captain Ross has seen a negro woman, in Jamaica, flogged with ebony bushes (much worse than our own thorn-bushes) so that the skin of her back was taken off, down to her heels. She was then turned round and flogged from her breast down to her waist, and in consequence he saw her afterwards walking upon all fours, and unable to get up.


4.Captain