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"Mendis Depart, " New York Journal of Commerce, Nov. 27, 1841.
DEPARTURE OF THE MENDI AFRICANS.
The thirty five surviving Africans of the Amistad, accompanied by Rev. Messrs.
Steele and Raymond and Mrs. Raymond, missionaries to Africa, and by Mr. Wilson and
wife, teachers, embarked last Wednesday morning in the bark Gentleman, Capt. Morris,
bound to Sierra Leone, and were towed down the harbor by a steamer. They have now
a fair prospect of soon being restored to their families and friends in the interior
of Africa, from whom and from which they were torn by the merciless slave trade.
And they will carry with them, what they might well cross the Ocean to obtain, --a
knowledge of [t ] way of life. Several interesting meetings have been held in reference
to their departure, and that of the missionaries who accompany them, a brief account
of which may be acceptable to our readers.
A farewell meeting of the Africans, and the Missionaries who are to accompany them
to their native country, was held at the Broadway Tabernacle last Sabbath evening.
It was an occasion of thrilling interest. That vast Church was filled to overflowing.
Great numbers were compelled to leave without gaining an entrance. After the introductory
exercises of Singing, by the Choir, under the direction of Mr. Geo. Andrews. and
of Prayer by Rev. Mr. Pennington, Pastor of the colored congregational Church in
Hartford, the Rev. S. S. Jocelyn, one of the Committee on behalf of the Mendians,
apologised for the absence of the other members of the committee, --Mr Lewis Tappan
being indisposed, and Rev. Mr. Leavitt being detained by engagements at Boston.
Mr. A. F. Williams, one of the Committee who had the supervision of the Mendians
during their residence of eight months at Farmington, Ct.,. then gave, in brief terms,
their history, from the time they were torn from Africa, to the present hour. He
bore unqualified testimony to the amiableness of their character and the propriety
of their conduct, during his connection with them. Several of the Mendians were next
called upon, by reading from the Bible, by spelling, and by answering questions put
to them by spectators to shew their improvement under the instruction they had received.
The audience were surprised and delighted with their accurate spelling, correct pronounciation,
fluency in reading, and quickness of perception. In some cases an elevated tone of
religious feeling was manifested in the answers which they gave. They were asked
to unite together in singing that beautiful hymn.--"When I can read my title
clear," which they did with great effect, in the tune "Auld Lang Syne."
They also sung a native Song with an energy of manner, a wildness of music, and at
times a sweetness of melody, which were altogether peculiar.
Mr. Williams then made a brief appeal to the audience for funds in aid of the proposed
Mission. The Rev. S. S. Jocelyn, in behalf of the Committee, delivered appropriate
instructions to the Missionaries and teachers who are going out in company with the
retuning Mendians. After these instructions, Cinque rose and addressed the assembly
in his native tongue, with power and effect. His rapid enunciation, the expression
of his countenance, the flashing his eye, and the significancy of his gestures and
movements in certain passages of his address, were remarkable. He shewed himself
able also, to touch with a master's hand the finer chords of the human heart;-- for
when in the conclusion of his remarks, he expressed a sense of his obligations to
the Americans for their kindness to him and his people, and bade them farewell for
ever, his manner was subdued and touching, and affected those who are well acquainted
with him, to tears. This speech was briefly interperated to the audience by Kinna.
Rev. Mr. Andrews, pastor of the Tabernacle church, followed with an eloquent appeal
in behalf of the Mendians and the mission; --gave the general characteristics of
this people in Africa as described by Cinque and other and commented upon the virtues
and improvement of those present; from which, together with the wonderful providence
God towards them, and the deep interest excited in behalf of the mission, he enforced
the obligations of Christians to sustain the enterprize, and to redress in every
way, as far as possible, the wrongs of Africa. The Mendians then sung the two first
verses of the Hymn "From Greenland's Icy Mountains," and the congregation
united in the two last.
After the benediction, by Rev. Mr. Wright of this city, many Ladies and Gentlemen
crowded around the pulpit to get a nearer view of Cinque and his wronged brethren,
and to give them the parting hand, ere they left us forever. "God bless you,"
burst from hundreds of full hearts, as they grasped their hands in true fellowship.
On Tuesday evening, another meeting was holden at the large colored Methodist church
(Zion's) composed principally of colored people. A more compact mass of human beings
was perhaps never seen in a church. The exercises were similar to those at the Tabernacle
on Sabbath evening, with some additions. A deep interest was kept up during the entire
meeting. Two letters, just received from the venerable John Quincy Adams, one of
which was addressed to Mr. Lewis Tappan, enclosing his farewell to Cinque and his
companions, were read by Mr. Jocelyn, full of touching and impressive sentiments,
worthy of that great statement and philanthropist.
Copies of these letter, and also of one from Cinque and his companions to the Ex-President,
accompanied by a Bible which they wished to present him, will be found below.
Interesting addresses were made by Rev. Theo. S. Wright, and Mr. Morel of Newark.
James Covey, the Mendian interpreter, gave an affecting account of his connection
with the Mendians of the Amistad, since he was taken from on board the British schooner
Buzzard, by Prof. Gibbs, of Yale College, (who was also present at this meeting),
and of the religious change which he hoped had taken place in his heart since he
had been in the United States, and bade the audience farewell, imploring the blessing
of God upon the people.
Cinque's farewell remarks, and his expressions of gratitude to God and to his friends,
and of regard for good people in America, (interpreted by Kinna,) together with those
of Kinna, were singularly appropriate and touching. Kinna was interrogated on serveral
points, to which he responded by an account of his conviction of sin and his turning
to God--his love of Christ and the souls of his people, and of all men.
William W. Anderson, Esq., now or formerly Solicitor General for the Island of Jamaica,
a long and tried friend of the slave, was intoduced. He assured the audience of his
deep interest in what he had saw of the Mendians and the mission. He made several
statements relative to the missionary spirit excited among the freed people of Jamaica,
and the missions commenced by them. Also their rapid improvement morals, religion,
industry and letters, and of the demolition of caste on that Island on account of
color.
Near the close of the meeting, the hymn "From Greenland's icy mountains,"
was sung by the Mendians and the audience, standing. After the benediction, many
of the congregation stopped, and gave a parting hand.
A final meeting was held in the cabin of the steamer as she passed down the Bay.
The following is the corresponence above alluded to.
To the Honorable John Quincy Adams:
Most Respected Sir,-- The Mendi people give you thanks for all your kindness to them.
They will never forget your defense of their rights before the great Court at Washington.
They feel that they owe to you, in a large measure, their deliverance from the Spaniards,
and from slavery or death. They will pray for you as long as you live, Mr. Adams.
May God bless and reward you!
We are about to go home to Africa. We go to Sierra Leone first, and then we reach
Mendi very quick. When we get to Mendi we will tell the people of your great kindness.
Good missionary will go with us. We shall take the Bible with us. It has been a precious
book in prison, and we love to read it now we are free! Mr. Adams, we want to make
you a present of a beautiful Bible! Will you please to accept it, and when you look
at it or read it, remember your poor and grateful clients? We read in this Holy Book,
"If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, when men rose up against us,
then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled up against us.
Blessed be the Lord, who hath not given us a prey to their teeth. Our sould is escaped
as a bird out of the snare of the fowler; the snare is broken and we are escaped.
Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made Heaven and Earth."
For the Mendi people.
CINQUE,
KINNA,
KALE.
Boston, Nov. 6, 1841.
----
To the Mendian Africans, Cinque, Kinna, Kale, and thirty-two others, about to return to their native land:
BOSTON, 19th, November, 1841.
My Friends,--I have received the elgant Bible, and faithful friends Mr. Lewis
Tappan. I accept it, and shall keep it as a kind remembrancer from you, to the end
of my life. It was form that book that I leant to espouse your cause when you were
in trouble, and to give thands to God for your deliverance.
I am glad to learn that you have the prospect of retuning safe and free to your native
country; and I hope and pray that you may pass the remainder of your lives in peace
and comfort there. Remember with kindness those worthy persons who befriended you
in your captivity here, and who now furnish you with the means of returning home,
and tell your counrtymen of the blessings of the book which you have given to me.
May the Almight Power who has preserved and sustained you hitherto, still go with
you, and turn to your good and to that of your country, all that you have suffered,
and all that may hereafter befall you.
From your friend,
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS.
----
BOSTON, Nov. 19, 1841.
LEWIS TAPPAN, Esq. New York.
Dear Sir,--I received, and accept with thanks the elegant Bible, presented me by
Cinque, Kinna, Kale and the thrity two other Medians, who are indebted to you, and
your benevolent associates, probably for their lives, certainly for their deliverance
from an unjust prosecution, and long protracted imprisonment and finally for the
means of returning to their own country.
I enclose herewith my answer to the address of Cinque, Kinna, and Kale, in behalf
of the whole number inserted before the title-page to the volume. I ask of your kindness
to communicate the answer, with my best wishes for their safe return home, to them.
I have been unwilling to meet them in any public exhibition, which might have the
appearance on my part of an ostentatious display of the service which it had been
my good fortune to render them--a service of which I have otherwise too strong a
propensity to be proud, and of which I feel that all pride and self-approbation ought
to sink into the sentiment of humble and fervent gratitude to God. The silent gratulations
of my own conscience for the part I have taken in these concerns are too precious
to seek for the praise or to hazard the censure of public assemblies. But I could
not cease to take an interest in their welfare, and to hope for the consummation
of your kindness to them in the accomplishment of ther restoration in freedom and
safety to their native land.
I am, with great respect, dear sir, faithfully yours,
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS.
