Note 140 — Chapter II · GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION OF SLAVERY.
Reading edition
Bancroft informs us that “one principal object of war among the ancient nations of Honduras was to make slaves; but the Mosquito Coast was free from this scourge, according to all accounts.” “When prisoners were taken they were usually held as slaves, after having the nose cut off.… The coast people … usually kill their prisoners.” Wickham, who gives a detailed account of the Woolwa or Soumoo of the Mosquito Coast, makes no mention of slavery140. So the inhabitants of Honduras had slaves, whereas those of the Mosquito Coast had not.