Question

read these passages from john newton’s diary.
saturday 22 june
being pretty warm, got up the men and washed all the slaves with fresh water. i am much afraid of another ravage from the flux diarrheal infection, for we have had 8 taken within these few days.
thursday 27 june
when we were putting the slaves down in the evening, one that was sick jumped overboard. got him in again but he died immediately between his weakness and the salt water he had swallowed, though i imagine he would have lived but a little while being quite worn out.
which claim is supported by this reading?
option 1
saturday, june 22nd was the first day of deaths.
option 2
one of the ship’s crew members was counted among those taken.
option 3
the men on board the ship always treated the enslaved people well, in sickness and in health.
option 4
the enslaved people on board suffered waves of illness at times resulting in death.

Explanation:

• Analyze each option:
• First option: The diary mentions a slave dying from illness (flux, salt water ingestion after weakness), and "8 taken within these few days" implies multiple deaths from illness, supporting enslaved people suffering waves of illness with deaths.
• Second option: The text shows a sick slave was put overboard then brought back but died—no indication of good treatment.
• Third option: No info on crew being counted among "taken" (likely slaves).
• Fourth option: The death on Thursday 27th shows June 22nd wasn't the first death day.

Answer:

The enslaved people on board suffered waves of illness at times resulting in death.