Rensselaer Republican, Volume 14, Number 38, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 June 1882 — A System of Debt Slavery in Vogue on in Gold Coast. [ARTICLE]

A System of Debt Slavery in Vogue on in Gold Coast.

Acording to a writer in the Lagos Times, of February 22, a human pawn system exists in that colony. It appears that many persons whose necessities compel them to borrow money are in the habit of pawning their c ildren or other relatives to the money-lenders of the colony, who, instead of being paid interest in the usual manner, are able to use these unfortunate creatures as slaves until the loan is refunded, which may not be for a series of years. The inhabitant of Lagos, who makes this statement says, “The pawn receives not a fraction for his toil. Should he die before the payment of the loan is made or should he desert his master, a substitute is to be provided. This wicked slavery is practised under the eye of the British law. and sometimes by persons calling themselves Christians.”. The same writer states that there are British subjects residing in Lagons who serve on juries and perform all the duties of citizenship, but who yet are among the largest owners of slaves in the neighboring territories, and he says that “instances have been known of these British subjects converting their slaves themselves, or through their agents, into money to meet their liabilities.”