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Letter to Editor
November 3, 1837
The Liberator
Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts
What is this article about?
Letter from Wm. A. Gibbs in Matanzas, Cuba, dated Sept. 20, 1837, warns colored persons against traveling to Cuba due to brutal treatment of suspected abolitionists, including the execution of George Davis without trial and restrictions on colored seamen leading to imprisonment, execution, or enslavement.
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Full Text
From the Colored American.
A CAUTION TO TRAVELLERS IN GENERAL.
Matanzas, Sept. 20, 1837.
Mr. Editor,—I wish through the columns of your valuable paper to caution all persons of color to beware the Island of Cuba. On the 12th of July last I left the City of New York for Havana, where I spent a few days, and then I left for this place, where I have been about five weeks. The following facts, which occurred in Havana, have come to my knowledge, and I think they should be made known, as a caution to colored persons.
Mr. George Davis, a colored citizen of the United States and a tailor by trade, was suspected of being an abolitionist. He was arrested and locked up in prison, and his trunk searched, wherein were found several abolition books and papers. He had no trial, but was immediately condemned to death. He was then sent to Havana, to Gov. Tacon, and on the 10th day of Sept. he was executed by being screwed to death, a most inhuman torture.
Another similar case occurred since I have been here. A white man who was called a missionary, but who was proved to be a book agent from the United States, had about him a few abolition papers, was also arrested and taken into custody, and he now awaits his trial, which will take place on the 25th inst. at Havana.
No colored seamen are allowed to come to this Island from the United States; if they do, they are locked up in prison and tried for their lives; if convicted, they are executed or else sold into perpetual slavery: if not convicted, they are kept in prison until the ship is ready for sea, and then sent on board.
I would say further for the benefit of the public and the abolition cause, that those persons who have friends in this island should be very cautious how they write letters to them, for one word concerning abolitionism in Havana or Matanzas, will seal a man's doom forever.
My business is not finished; but things here have arrived to such a pitch, that I find the country too hot to hold me. I shall bend my course homeward on the 29th inst.
Yours truly,
WM. A. GIBBS.
A CAUTION TO TRAVELLERS IN GENERAL.
Matanzas, Sept. 20, 1837.
Mr. Editor,—I wish through the columns of your valuable paper to caution all persons of color to beware the Island of Cuba. On the 12th of July last I left the City of New York for Havana, where I spent a few days, and then I left for this place, where I have been about five weeks. The following facts, which occurred in Havana, have come to my knowledge, and I think they should be made known, as a caution to colored persons.
Mr. George Davis, a colored citizen of the United States and a tailor by trade, was suspected of being an abolitionist. He was arrested and locked up in prison, and his trunk searched, wherein were found several abolition books and papers. He had no trial, but was immediately condemned to death. He was then sent to Havana, to Gov. Tacon, and on the 10th day of Sept. he was executed by being screwed to death, a most inhuman torture.
Another similar case occurred since I have been here. A white man who was called a missionary, but who was proved to be a book agent from the United States, had about him a few abolition papers, was also arrested and taken into custody, and he now awaits his trial, which will take place on the 25th inst. at Havana.
No colored seamen are allowed to come to this Island from the United States; if they do, they are locked up in prison and tried for their lives; if convicted, they are executed or else sold into perpetual slavery: if not convicted, they are kept in prison until the ship is ready for sea, and then sent on board.
I would say further for the benefit of the public and the abolition cause, that those persons who have friends in this island should be very cautious how they write letters to them, for one word concerning abolitionism in Havana or Matanzas, will seal a man's doom forever.
My business is not finished; but things here have arrived to such a pitch, that I find the country too hot to hold me. I shall bend my course homeward on the 29th inst.
Yours truly,
WM. A. GIBBS.
What sub-type of article is it?
Informative
Persuasive
Provocative
What themes does it cover?
Slavery Abolition
Crime Punishment
Social Issues
What keywords are associated?
Cuba Caution
Colored Travelers
Abolitionists
George Davis
Screwed To Death
Havana Execution
Matanzas
Colored Seamen
Tacon Governor
What entities or persons were involved?
Wm. A. Gibbs
Mr. Editor
Letter to Editor Details
Author
Wm. A. Gibbs
Recipient
Mr. Editor
Main Argument
colored persons should beware traveling to cuba due to arrests, executions without trial for suspected abolitionists, harsh policies on colored seamen including enslavement, and dangers of abolitionist correspondence.
Notable Details
Execution Of George Davis By Being Screwed To Death
No Trial For Davis, Condemned Immediately
Arrest Of White Book Agent Awaiting Trial On Sept. 25
Colored Seamen Imprisoned, Tried, Executed Or Sold Into Slavery
Warning Against Abolitionist Letters Sealing One's Doom