Student of the Temple

“ Dowling’s not having disclosed the murder when he came on shore, nor keeping a complete journal, these are circumstances which those persons who know any thing of ships in general or the African slave trade, will pay no attention to. Journals, which are considered mere matters of form, are generally imperfect, and the barbarous treatment of slaves on board the ships is so frequent, as to be looked upon with indifference. Perhaps Mr. Dowling, perhaps36 the whole crew might have conceived that the killing of a slave on board a ship was an offence not punishable by law. ”

“ Did he bring forward a single witness to contradict the charges of his accusers? What became of all the seamen and servants on board his ship, who were in England at the time he was apprehended, and who might have been brought into Court to declare at once that the prisoner did not commit murder; without having recourse to the miserable shift of proving perjury against Mr. Dowling and Devereux, in points that had nothing to do with the prosecution? Were none of the Recovery’s crew to be found, or was Captain Kimber afraid that35 they would have all conspired against his life? ”

“ The witness knew the prisoner since he was at school, and he never heard any thing injurious32 to his character, until the present charge was preferred against him. He was always humane and good natured.
Thomas Lancaster was a mate belonging to the Wasp. He said, that Devereux had admitted the charges made against him: and all the ship’s company looked on him as a dangerous fellow. After he had been turned out of the ship, he remained on shore for two months; and if Captain Kimber had not taken him under his protection, it would be impossible to tell what should become of him. ”

“ It may afford a salutary lesson to those captainsvii of slave ships, and masters of slaves who should hereafter attempt to commit such horrid outrages as he has been charged with: and it may, from the circumstances here related, (for such barbarities have doubtless been often practised) fill the minds of men universally with horror against the present system: until tyranny shall at length give way to public opinion, and liberty and happiness be restored to human beings.
THE
TRIAL
OF
CAPTAIN JOHN KIMBER,
For Murder, &c. ”

“ In this situation with her head drooping between her knees, Captain Kimber, who was present during the whole of her torture, lifted her up, gave her a slap on the face, and said the bitch is sulky: and then again endeavoured to straiten the contraction in the knees, with the intention of inflicting punishment on her. The fifth and last time she was lifted up by both hands, but her feet touched the deck; and in this posture the prisoner flogged her severely. ”

“ Q. Can you pretend to say that the suspension of this girl, was intended as a punishment?
A. I shall not say that; but it was obvious that it was a punishment.
Q. Might not the Captain have had reason to conclude that this suspension was necessary?
A. He might have had a motive, but I did not know it: he never consulted any person in what he used to do; and he has often interrupted me in the discharge of my duty.
Q. In what part of the ship did the suspension take place?
A. On the awning deck. ”

“ A. Never, there is not such baseness in my nature. I never made a declaration of the kind to any person: but I said I would advertise him for his treatment of me. After my arrival in Bristol about Christmas last, I applied to Mr. ”