Chapter Five. In The Barracoons Of Cartagena

Abstract

The chapter examines how slaves were bought and sold in Cartagena and subsequently housed and prepared for their onward journey. It focuses particularly on the diet of slaves and leaving discussions of health conditions. For Cartagena and Panama all six journals give the daily purchases of food, but only two contain entries for the coast of Peru. Slave ships arriving in Cartagena were required to undergo an inspection during which the numbers of slaves entering the port were counted and the ship searched for any undeclared slaves. An examination of the slaves purchased by Sebastian Duarte on behalf of Manuel Bautista Perez in 1633 provides some insight into the manner in which slaves were acquired for transhipment to Peru. Various types of equipment were also purchased to support the slaves in Cartagena. Nearly 40 percent was spent on cooking equipment, storage vessels and eating bowls.Keywords: cartagena; Manuel Bautista Perez; Sebastian Duarte; slave trader