Details
Title [Middle passage: instruments of restraint and torture] [graphic].
Publisher [New York: s.n]
Publisher NY. New York. 1836
Date [1836]
Physical Description 1 print: engraving; overall 18 x 11 cm. (7.25 x 4.25 in)
Description Engraving shows instruments of restraint and torture used during the Middle Passage. From top to bottom, it includes: iron hand-cuffs, iron shackles, a thumb press, and a speculum oris, an instrument originally used to open the mouths of lock-jaw patients. On slave-ships, it was used to force-feed slaves who refused to eat. The bottom diagram shows a cabin space that is 3 feet, 3 inches high; it shows manner in which enslaved Africans were forced to sit during the passage.
Is part of Childs, Lydia Maria Francis, 1802-1880. Appeal in favor of that class of Americans called Africans. New York: Published by John S. Taylor, 1836.
Notes Illustration in Lydia Childs's An Appeal in Favor of that Class of Americans Called Africans (New York: Published by John S. Taylor, 1836), p. 21.
Opposite page includes the following text: "The engraving on the next page will help to give a vivid idea of the Elysium enjoyed by negroes, during the Middle Passage. Fig A represents the iron hand-cuffs, which fasten the slaves together by means of a little bolt with a padlock. B represents the iron shackles by which the ancle [sic] of one is made fast to the ancle [sic] of his next companion. Yet even thus secured, they do often jump into the sea, and wave their hands in triumph at the approach of death. E is a thumb-screw. The thumbs are put into two rounds [sic] holes at the top; by turning a key a bar rises from C to D by means of a screw; and the pressure becomes very painful. By turning it further, the blood is made to start; and by taking away the key, as at E, the tortured person is left in agony, without the means of helping himself, or being helped by others. This is applied in case of obstinancy, at the discretion of the captain. I, F, is a speculum oris. The dotted lines represent it when shut; the black lines when open. It opens at G,H, by a screw below with a knob at the end of it. This instrument was used by surgeons to wrench open the mouth in case of lock-jaw. It is used in slave-ships to compel the negroes to take food; because a loss to the owners would follow their persevering attempts to die. K represents the manner of stowing slaves in a slave-ship."
Fels Afro-Americana Image Project, Anti-Slavery Movement Imagery.
Subject Slave trade.
Slave ships.
Slaves -- Punishment & torture.
Punishment devices.
Physical restraints.
Genre Engravings -- 1830-1840.
Book illustrations -- 1830-1840.
Location Library Company of Philadelphia| Books & Other Texts | Rare | Am 1836 Chi S49622.D p 21
Accession number S49622.D