Slavery in Latin America was a widespread phenomenon at the beginning of the nineteenth century.

Many African slaves worked in harsh and brutal conditions in plantations. As an increasing number of Latin-American countries gained their independence and freedom from colonial rulers, citizens of those countries wanted to outlaw the enslavement of Africans. Brazil was the most important destination for the Atlantic slave trade before slavery was abolished in Latin America.1 Robert Walsh, a British clergyman and abolitionist, visited Brazil in 1828 and 1829. He described in great detail his confrontation with African peoples in Rio de Janeiro. He was appalled by the inhumane treatment of African slaves. Although Walsh gave a clear description of the hardships the slaves endured, he grossly exaggerated their social status and appearance. According to Walsh, slaves were inferior in rank than the animals around them. Slaves had to carry heavy burdens and were chained by their neck and legs. Animals, however, enjoyed more freedom than slaves and were not required to do a lot of heavy work. Horses and mule were pampered, enjoying a state far superior than the negroes, and appearing to look down on [them] , as on beings of an inferior rank in the creation than themselves. Obviously, Walshs biased outlook influenced what he reported on the African peoples; slaves were higher on the social ladder than animals and were not looked down on by horses and mules. Walsh also gave a slightly blown-up picture of the slaves appearance. Their skin, said Walsh, resembl[ed] the coarse black covering of some beast, or like that of an elephant. Not all Africans were slaves; many among them were soldiers, salespeople, and priests. Walshs depiction of the African soldiers was fairly accurate. Just like soldiers with other skin-colors, black soldiers were well-dressed and disciplined. When, during his trip in Brazil, Walsh came into contact with African salespeople, he was astounded by their fairness and gentleness. He believed that they were superior to their white counterparts. On one occasion, Walsh wanted to buy clothing from a modest young mother but he only had foreign coins. She insisted that Walsh should take the clothing and come back a different time to pay. Although black salespeople may have been honest, they were not necessarily greater than people of all other races. When Walsh attended a funeral procession in a church, he noticed a black priest among the white priests who seemed to perform his part with a decorum and sense of solemnity, which [Walsh] did not observe in his brethren. Walshs affection for African people was evident. Black clergymen were not more righteous than white priests. Walsh categorized Africans as innocent beasts, disciplined soldiers, truthful women, or honorable priests. This, however, did not mean that all or most of the Africans he saw fell into these categories. He reported favorably on the Africans because he wanted to further his cause that was, the abolishment of slavery in Brazil. Walsh probably saw African slaves who rebelled against the established order, soldiers who were disobedient, and salespeople who tried to fool customers. But Walsh just wanted people to understand that many Africans were good citizens and normal human beings. In his account about the African peoples, Walsh concluded that colour was an accident affecting the surface of a man, and having no more to do with his qualities than his clothes. Europeans, he believed, had no right to enslave Africans and degrade them. As a clergyman, Walsh, most probably, saw the world in stark terms of good and evil. There were no gradations of gray. So, his account might be compromised by either painting too bleak or too optimistic a picture. Since Walshs visit to Rio de Janeiro was no longer than a couple of hours, his observations may have been somewhat flawed. Had he stayed longer, he might have been more aware of the intricacies involved and what slaves really thought about their oppressors. Nevertheless, his description was valuable as he was able to perceive the complex and sometimes unexpected ways that slaves and black freedmen were integrated into Brazilian society. Although there might be some more reliable accounts of the Africans behavior under slavery, his perception of the matter was truly unique in the sense that he distinguished between the different African social classes. People whose views were not affected by biases and people who stayed in Brazil for a longer period of time would be able to give a more objective and complete view on the issue of slavery. Moreover, eyewitness accounts from actual slaves would provide a wealth of critical information as to

how their character was defined and shaped by slavery. For example, an autobiography by Olaudah Equiano describes firsthand experience of being a slave and the eventual path to freedom. http://www.bl.uk/learning/histcitizen/campaignforabolition/sources/witnesses/equianowitness/slaveeyewit ness.html