Testimony of
Alexander Falconbridge
before a select committee
of the House of Commons,
March 8, 1790:
What is your present situation?
A surgeon.How many voyages have you been to the Coast of Africa?
I have been four voyages to the Coast of Africa.Do you examine the Slaves previous to purchasing them?
They are always examined by some officers on board; it is generally understood to be the surgeon’s business.Do they appear dejected when brought on board?
All that I have seen in my voyages did appear so.Did this dejection continue, or did it soon wear off?
With some it continued the whole voyage, and with others till death put a period to their misery.Have you known instances of Slaves refusing sustenance?
I have known several instances.With what design?
With a design to starve themselves, I am persuaded. …What was the mode used in stowing the Slaves in their night apartments?
They had not so much room as a man has in his coffin, neither in length or breadth, and it was impossible for them to turn or shift with any degree of ease. I have had occasion very often to go from one side of their rooms to the other; before I attempted it I have always taken off my shoes, and notwithstanding I have trod with as much care as I possibly could to prevent pinching them, it has unavoidably happened that I did so; I have often had my feet bit and scratched by them, the marks of which I have now. …Are the consequences ever extremely noxious and nauseous of great number being ill at once of this latter disorder [dysentery]?
It was the case in the Alexander, as I have said before when I was taken ill — I cannot conceive any situation so dreadful and disgusting, the deck was covered with blood and mucus, and approached nearer to the resemblance of a slaughter-house than anything I can compare it to, the stench and foul air were likewise intolerable. …To what cause do you describe [instances of insanity among slaves on board ship]?
To their being torn from their nearest connections, and carried away from their country.