Virginia Argus

PHILADELPHIA, August 20.

PATHETIC.

The following incident requires not the aid of the pen to awaken every feeling congenial to humanity, nor, in exciting our tenderest sympathy for the unhappy sufferers, can it fail to rouse the keenest indignation against the authors of such inhuman wrongs.

Two vessels, belonging to citizens of the United States, concerned in the infamous traffic of human flesh on the coast of Africa, have been lately captured and sent into this port by the Ganges sloop of war.

Taken at different times, they arrived separately at the quarantine station, the one having on board one hundred and eighteen, and the other sixteen unhappy victims.

With a view to their health and convenience, it was deemed proper to land and encamp these unfortunate people. Scarce had this benevolent measure been effected, and the miserable Africans mingled with their fellow-sufferers, when a husband and wife who had been torn from their home and happiness, and hurried on board separate vessels by their brutal oppressors, met and recognized each other. Lost, for a moment, in an ecstasy of surprise, they exhibited a scene of tenderness, which would have softened even the savage hearts of those who had occasioned their separation. But the meeting was more than the unhappy female could support; her frame, shaken by the influence of her affections, yielded to the shock, and she was prematurely a mother!

Let the monsters, who encourage and who practise this horrid traffic, reflect on the vengeance of an offended God. An appeal to their conjugal or their parental feelings were a lost hope, and a mockery of humanity.

To console the feelings of our readers, we can assure them that the beneficence of the abolition society, and the general sympathy of the humane, have been exerted to alleviate the distresses of these unfortunate people. Of our citizens, have greatly alleviated the sufferings of these much injured people; and we are happy in knowing that the unfortunate woman is recovering.

August 21.