The Irish Slave Trade – The Forgotten “White” Slaves

[CrackSmokeRepublican]

The Irish Slave Trade – The Forgotten "White" Slaves
The Slaves That Time Forgot

by John Martin

   
Global Research, May 28, 2012


They came as slaves; vast human cargo transported on tall British ships bound for the Americas. They were shipped by the hundreds of thousands and included men, women, and even the youngest of children.

Whenever they rebelled or even disobeyed an order, they were punished in the harshest ways. Slave owners would hang their human property by their hands and set their hands or feet on fire as one form of punishment. They were burned alive and had their heads placed on pikes in the marketplace as a warning to other captives.

We don't really need to go through all of the gory details, do we? We know all too well the atrocities of the African slave trade.

But, are we talking about African slavery? King James II and Charles I also led a continued effort to enslave the Irish. Britain's famed Oliver Cromwell furthered this practice of dehumanizing one's next door neighbor.

The Irish slave trade began when James II sold 30,000 Irish prisoners as slaves to the New World. His Proclamation of 1625 required Irish political prisoners be sent overseas and sold to English settlers in the West Indies. By the mid 1600s, the Irish were the main slaves sold to Antigua and Montserrat. At that time, 70% of the total population of Montserrat were Irish slaves.

Ireland quickly became the biggest source of human livestock for English merchants. The majority of the early slaves to the New World were actually white.

From 1641 to 1652, over 500,000 Irish were killed by the English and another 300,000 were sold as slaves. Ireland's population fell from about 1,500,000 to 600,000 in one single decade. Families were ripped apart as the British did not allow Irish dads to take their wives and children with them across the Atlantic. This led to a helpless population of homeless women and children. Britain's solution was to auction them off as well.

During the 1650s, over 100,000 Irish children between the ages of 10 and 14 were taken from their parents and sold as slaves in the West Indies, Virginia and New England. In this decade, 52,000 Irish (mostly women and children) were sold to Barbados and Virginia. Another 30,000 Irish men and women were also transported and sold to the highest bidder. In 1656, Cromwell ordered that 2000 Irish children be taken to Jamaica and sold as slaves to English settlers.

Many people today will avoid calling the Irish slaves what they truly were: Slaves. They'll come up with terms like "Indentured Servants" to describe what occurred to the Irish. However, in most cases from the 17th and 18th centuries, Irish slaves were nothing more than human cattle.

As an example, the African slave trade was just beginning during this same period. It is well recorded that African slaves, not tainted with the stain of the hated Catholic theology and more expensive to purchase, were often treated far better than their Irish counterparts.

African slaves were very expensive during the late 1600s (50 Sterling). Irish slaves came cheap (no more than 5 Sterling). If a planter whipped or branded or beat an Irish slave to death, it was never a crime. A death was a monetary setback, but far cheaper than killing a more expensive African. The English masters quickly began breeding the Irish women for both their own personal pleasure and for greater profit. Children of slaves were themselves slaves, which increased the size of the master's free workforce. Even if an Irish woman somehow obtained her freedom, her kids would remain slaves of her master. Thus, Irish moms, even with this new found emancipation, would seldom abandon their kids and would remain in servitude.

In time, the English thought of a better way to use these women (in many cases, girls as young as 12) to increase their market share: The settlers began to breed Irish women and girls with African men to produce slaves with a distinct complexion. These new "mulatto" slaves brought a higher price than Irish livestock and, likewise, enabled the settlers to save money rather than purchase new African slaves. This practice of interbreeding Irish females with African men went on for several decades and was so widespread that, in 1681, legislation was passed "forbidding the practice of mating Irish slave women to African slave men for the purpose of producing slaves for sale." In short, it was stopped only because it interfered with the profits of a large slave transport company.

England continued to ship tens of thousands of Irish slaves for more than a century. Records state that, after the 1798 Irish Rebellion, thousands of Irish slaves were sold to both America and Australia. There were horrible abuses of both African and Irish captives. One British ship even dumped 1,302 slaves into the Atlantic Ocean so that the crew would have plenty of food to eat.

There is little question that the Irish experienced the horrors of slavery as much (if not more in the 17th Century) as the Africans did. There is, also, very little question that those brown, tanned faces you witness in your travels to the West Indies are very likely a combination of African and Irish ancestry. In 1839, Britain finally decided on it's own to end it's participation in Satan's highway to hell and stopped transporting slaves. While their decision did not stop pirates from doing what they desired, the new law slowly concluded THIS chapter of nightmarish Irish misery.

But, if anyone, black or white, believes that slavery was only an African experience, then they've got it completely wrong.

Irish slavery is a subject worth remembering, not erasing from our memories.

But, where are our public (and PRIVATE) schools? Where are the history books? Why is it so seldom discussed?

Do the memories of hundreds of thousands of Irish victims merit more than a mention from an unknown writer?

Or is their story to be one that their English pirates intended: To (unlike the African book) have the Irish story utterly and completely disappear as if it never happened.

None of the Irish victims ever made it back to their homeland to describe their ordeal. These are the lost slaves; the ones that time and biased history books conveniently forgot.

 Global Research Articles by John Martin

http://globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=31076

[CrackSmokeRepublican]

Spingola Speaks, 2012-05-28 12:00:57, HOUR 1

Monday, May 28, 2012 12:01 AM
Guest: Christopher Fogarty
 

Christopher Fogarty talked about the deliberate genocide against the Irish, a combination of events that the government schools refer to as the Irish Famine, as if all of these circumstances were a natural occurrence.
http://www.irishholocaust.org/
 


http://216.240.133.177/archives32/Sping ... 110000.mp3

http://216.240.133.177/archives32/Sping ... 120000.mp3

[Amanda]

Deanna Spingola also had Christopher Fogerty on as a guest on 5/7/12

I don't know how to post the actual links to the show, but they are archived here:

http://www.republicbroadcasting.org/arc ... 81&year=12

[Chad]

I am sure Saxon oppression contributed to Ireland's vulnerability to Marxist doctrines, which is unfortunate...both the oppression and the Marxism, which still lingers on Irish songs and lore, and some Irish thinking.   At least, I think there is a connection, could be wrong.

[sullivan]

I am sure Saxon oppression contributed to Ireland's vulnerability to Marxist doctrines, which is unfortunate...both the oppression and the Marxism, which still lingers on Irish songs and lore, and some Irish thinking.   At least, I think there is a connection, could be wrong.

Care to point out where the Marxism lingers on in Irish songs and lore?  Or are you one of these people who sees Marxism everywhere people clamour for social justice and an end to the deepening social divide?

[mgt23]

which still lingers on Irish songs and lore, and some Irish thinking.

.....what an earth are u talking about? Real Irish folk and lore has nothing to do with marxism or even catholicism but probably a lingering memory of the milesians and before them the tuatha da Dannan.......

[Chad]

Maybe I do see Marxism under every rock, as one individual said.  I am Irish myself.  I listen to Irish music every day, and the music and ballads about the IRA is heavily saturated with the stuff. But if you do not see the IRA as embracing any Marx's mantras, then all of the songs and lore about the IRA, will not mean anything either.  Every popular Irish folk band I listen to does a cover of these famous songs.  They are not secret songs.

It may sound like I am overly sensitive, but, just as I love Celtic music, I also love old kungfu movies, with the cheesy lip sync, and Chinese people who seem to be like acrobats as much as fighters. If anyone here also loves those movies, you will notice that the villain in those movies most of the time is the Japanese, or a Chinese person who sold out to the Japanese, or anyone who typifies either of those two types. And Ironically, one time, while watching one of those movies, I heard a song played on a Chinese instrument, which sounded familiar, really familiar, and then it dawned on me, wow, that's Rising Of The Moon!  Now China in the 70's was a hotbed for Revolutionary communism.   Today China is still communist but it was in its early days in the 70's when these old kungfu movies were made.  Rising of the moon is an IRA song, and every popular Celtic band does a cover of this song, and there are dozens more like it.

My point is just this, there is an event, and a reaction.  The event was unfortunate Saxon oppression.  There is no doubt the Irish have lived with Saxon tyrany for many centuries.  It's also unfortunate that Marxists took advantage of Ireland's plight when they infiltrated and hijacked IRA. But again, if anyone does not see Marx in the IRA, then I will not make sense.  I will wait till I go home to post again, so I can post links, quote, etc., can't do that on a phone.

[Chad]

Anyhow, back to the thread topic.  Cromwell was a skunk.  He is the one who let the Jews back into England after they were expelled.  It is no surprise Cromwell would be mixed up in slavery.

[CrackSmokeRepublican]

Anyhow, back to the thread topic.  Cromwell was a skunk.  He is the one who let the Jews back into England after they were expelled.  It is no surprise Cromwell would be mixed up in slavery.

Chad, all of the Edomite Jews are mixed up in Slavery.  Right?

[sullivan]

Maybe I do see Marxism under every rock, as one individual said.  I am Irish myself.  I listen to Irish music every day, and the music and ballads about the IRA is heavily saturated with the stuff. But if you do not see the IRA as embracing any Marx's mantras, then all of the songs and lore about the IRA, will not mean anything either.  Every popular Irish folk band I listen to does a cover of these famous songs.  They are not secret songs.

I've yet to see any evidence. Like for instance "Marxist" lyrics?  By the way, I'm Irish too. I was born in Ireland and I've lived in Ireland for at least half my life. I live in Ireland now.

And Ironically, one time, while watching one of those movies, I heard a song played on a Chinese instrument, which sounded familiar, really familiar, and then it dawned on me, wow, that's Rising Of The Moon!  Now China in the 70's was a hotbed for Revolutionary communism.   Today China is still communist but it was in its early days in the 70's when these old kungfu movies were made.  Rising of the moon is an IRA song, and every popular Celtic band does a cover of this song, and there are dozens more like it.

Ok, well for a start, China is not "still Communist" in anything except its name.  The lyrics of The Rising of The Moon are below. Where's the Marxism?

And come tell me Sean O'Farrell tell me why you hurry so
Husha buachaill hush and listen and his cheeks were all a glow
I bare orders from the captain get you ready quick and soon
For the pikes must be together by the rising of the moon

By the rising of the moon, by the rising of the moon
For the pikes must be together by the rising of the moon

And come tell me Sean O'Farrell where the gath'rin is to be
At the old spot by the river quite well known to you and me
One more word for signal token whistle out the marchin' tune
With your pike upon your shoulder by the rising of the moon

By the rising of the moon, by the rising of the moon
With your pike upon your shoulder by the rising of the moon

Out from many a mud wall cabin eyes were watching through the night
Many a manly heart was beating for the blessed warning light
Murmurs rang along the valleys to the banshees lonely croon
And a thousand pikes were flashing by the rising of the moon

By the rising of the moon, by the rising of the moon
And a thousand pikes were flashing by the rising of the moon

All along that singing river that black mass of men was seen
High above their shining weapons flew their own beloved green
Death to every foe and traitor! Whistle out the marching tune
And hurrah, me boys, for freedom, 'tis the rising of the moon

'Tis the rising of the moon, 'tis the rising of the moon
And hurrah, me boys, for freedom, 'tis the rising of the moon

[Chad]

Maybe I do see Marxism under every rock, as one individual said.  I am Irish myself.  I listen to Irish music every day, and the music and ballads about the IRA is heavily saturated with the stuff. But if you do not see the IRA as embracing any Marx's mantras, then all of the songs and lore about the IRA, will not mean anything either.  Every popular Irish folk band I listen to does a cover of these famous songs.  They are not secret songs.

I've yet to see any evidence. Like for instance "Marxist" lyrics?  By the way, I'm Irish too. I was born in Ireland and I've lived in Ireland for at least half my life. I live in Ireland now.

And Ironically, one time, while watching one of those movies, I heard a song played on a Chinese instrument, which sounded familiar, really familiar, and then it dawned on me, wow, that's Rising Of The Moon!  Now China in the 70's was a hotbed for Revolutionary communism.   Today China is still communist but it was in its early days in the 70's when these old kungfu movies were made.  Rising of the moon is an IRA song, and every popular Celtic band does a cover of this song, and there are dozens more like it.

Ok, well for a start, China is not "still Communist" in anything except its name.  The lyrics of The Rising of The Moon are below. Where's the Marxism?

And come tell me Sean O'Farrell tell me why you hurry so
Husha buachaill hush and listen and his cheeks were all a glow
I bare orders from the captain get you ready quick and soon
For the pikes must be together by the rising of the moon

By the rising of the moon, by the rising of the moon
For the pikes must be together by the rising of the moon

And come tell me Sean O'Farrell where the gath'rin is to be
At the old spot by the river quite well known to you and me
One more word for signal token whistle out the marchin' tune
With your pike upon your shoulder by the rising of the moon

By the rising of the moon, by the rising of the moon
With your pike upon your shoulder by the rising of the moon

Out from many a mud wall cabin eyes were watching through the night
Many a manly heart was beating for the blessed warning light
Murmurs rang along the valleys to the banshees lonely croon
And a thousand pikes were flashing by the rising of the moon

By the rising of the moon, by the rising of the moon
And a thousand pikes were flashing by the rising of the moon

All along that singing river that black mass of men was seen
High above their shining weapons flew their own beloved green
Death to every foe and traitor! Whistle out the marching tune
And hurrah, me boys, for freedom, 'tis the rising of the moon

'Tis the rising of the moon, 'tis the rising of the moon
And hurrah, me boys, for freedom, 'tis the rising of the moon

Very good, you live in Ireland.  I bought our wedding rings from Ireland and our wedding gifts were bought there too, just throwing that out there; we like to buy Irish, because we know times are hard.

There is no marxism in Rising of the Moon, as you know.  But as you know, this song is a favorite hymm of the IRA, which has marxist factions.  Is that fallacious of me to reason so?  There are other songs with lyrics discussing worker's rights, about men generally recognized as marxist, who were IRA.  I seem to recall his name being James Connoly, perhaps I am wrong.  And similar such songs.  

I do not mean to imply that there is no justifiable resistence to the English. I think Irish Nationalism has its place and is fully justified.  It is just that when I hear lyrics about workers rights and know that the IRA has had marxist factions, I lose my taste for the rebel ballads.

I notice that where there is an unfortunate event of large magnituude affecting an ethnic group, marxism seems to find its way to it.  That was the case here, the case in China, and south Africa, and probably more.  Here, I would not be surprised to learn that the jews influenced Cromwell's crimes against the Irish, while later on, marxism pretends to care for the plight of the poor Irish.  That is their MO: they create a problem, and then try to profit from solutions to the problems they create.

[Chad]

Anyhow, back to the thread topic.  Cromwell was a skunk.  He is the one who let the Jews back into England after they were expelled.  It is no surprise Cromwell would be mixed up in slavery.

Chad, all of the Edomite Jews are mixed up in Slavery.  Right?

The evidence shows that they owned and operated the ships used to transport slaves to and from Africa, that they ran the auctions in north America , and that they had controlling interests in the Dutch East India Company.  That is, according to the book, The Secret Relationship Between Blacks and Jews, which was written dispassionately and contained reliable sources.  So, yeah, I would say there appears to be a pattern between Jews and slavery.  That is not even broaching the Jewish involvement in kidnapping and prostitution, as reflected in the movie Taken, starring Liam Neeson?

[sullivan]

There is no marxism in Rising of the Moon, as you know.  But as you know, this song is a favorite hymm of the IRA, which has marxist factions.

The Marxist factions in the IRA and Sinn Fein split away in the 1970s.

There are other songs with lyrics discussing worker's rights, about men generally recognized as marxist, who were IRA.  I seem to recall his name being James Connoly, perhaps I am wrong.  And similar such songs.

Not everyone who talks about workers' rights is Marxist, just as not every Marxist is overly concerned about workers' rights.

I do not mean to imply that there is no justifiable resistence to the English. I think Irish Nationalism has its place and is fully justified.  It is just that when I hear lyrics about workers rights and know that the IRA has had marxist factions, I lose my taste for the rebel ballads.

Are you saying that workers shouldn't have rights?  The rebellion here has always been against a feudal system, not an industrialised system. Those who run the industries now have benefited from the feudal past of their forebears, so I'm not surprised that they remain the object of antagonism. To put it another way, if the ancestors of the current industrialists couldn't just grab land and resources at will, using military might, they would not have the power they have today.

Here, I would not be surprised to learn that the jews influenced Cromwell's crimes against the Irish, while later on, marxism pretends to care for the plight of the poor Irish.  That is their MO: they create a problem, and then try to profit from solutions to the problems they create.

Can't disagree with you there.

[Chad]

The Marxist factions in the IRA and Sinn Fein split away in the 1970s.

I seem to recall reading about that.

Not everyone who talks about workers' rights is Marxist, just as not every Marxist is overly concerned about workers' rights.

Makes sense.  So, were the marxist factions in the IRA really marxist or were they just merely concerned with worker's rights?

Are you saying that workers shouldn't have rights?

It is just my opinion.  Don't hold it againt me but I have always thought feudalism was rotten to the core.  No man should be have to be a slave, or women either for that matter.  If a man earns a living honestly, he should be paid accordingly, and not jewed out of what he has earned.   By the same token, I think a man who does not work, should not get paid at all.

There are descendents of former slaves in my country who have been talking about national reparations being made for slavery.  None have been given yet.  Has that ever been brought up in Ireland?  Just curious.

[sullivan]

Makes sense.  So, were the marxist factions in the IRA really marxist or were they just merely concerned with worker's rights?'

A bit of both, I suspect. Probably more of the latter though. If Marxism was a factor it was as a means to an end, not an end in itself.

There are descendents of former slaves in my country who have been talking about national reparations being made for slavery.  None have been given yet.  Has that ever been brought up in Ireland?  Just curious.

Nope. I doubt it ever will.