The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1815-08-02
WAsHIE oroN, JuNE %.
CAPTURED SLAVES.


CAPTURED SLAVES.
When, the other day, We had in hand the
subject Of the captured slaves, we admitted,
because we knew of no fact to the contrary,
that slaves captured on the high seas might
not be subjcc, to condemnation as property
in the British Admiralty Courts. Since The
publication of our remarks on this head, we
have beeo oblieinely put in possession, from
source entirely to be relied on, OF the tol.
lowing brief narrative, which at once con-
vinces us of our error, and establishes the
fact, that slaves have oeen subjected 10 con-
deMna.ion in British Prize Courts, tho au-
,hority Of Mr.. Attorney General Wylly to
the contrary Notwithstanding.
In Dec. 1912, Merchant. of Norfolk sent
schooner 10 the West Indies, on board Of
which he had FIVE negro slaves, part Of the
crew. She arrived safely under the guns of
the forts of ST. Jago dc Cuba, when the boats
OF the British brig Rhodian were suffered TO
board her without opposition from the Span
isb lsrerics and carry her into Kingston in
Jamaica, where the vessel and cargo, aud
slaves were condemned, as prize to the King,
and cold as such. The friend, at Kingston of
the Merchant of Norfolk purchased these
slaves, with the view Of returning them 10
hfm, for the sum of 1850 dollars.
"A copy Of the decree Of the Court in this
case is-subjoined. 1t is conclusive as TO the
fact of condemnation of captured slaves, and
being from an official source, will, we pre-
sumo, at once silence those prints here that
have taken the British side Of this question.
In the following document we find the author
ity Of fhs Vice admiralty Court and II. b. NJ.
~
that Of n. M. advocate and Proeurator
General Of fNossau.--Wc have authenticated
facts against loose and general assertions. II
is PROVED slaves captured ftom US during
the war on the high seas (or rather on neu.
tral territory have been condemned and sold
in the Wsss.Indies; and the inference is
strong, If not irresistible, that slaves taken
from our shores have shared the same fate.
DOCUMENTAL PROOF.
III a Court Of Vice admiralty held in the foam
Of 81. Jago de Ia Vega, on Tuesday the
slSf day Of dug. 1919, before he Hon
Henry John HenchHgs, esq. Judge and
Commissayy Of said Court.
Schooner WILHELMISA,l
REYNOLDS, Master.
Our Sovereign Lord, the King, against the
sSuVouCI WhuctIind, auu Boous ouo o'o'S'
seized and taken by II. M. brig RhodisD,
John Geo. Boss, esq. commander, and brought
into the harbor of Kingston, in this Island OF
Jamaica, and against Barnard O'Hara and
Achilles Auffroy, the claimants thereof.
This cause coming on to be heard on the for.
mer proceedings had in the said cause, the
time allowed the claimants therein to adduce
F. further proof by the decree Of this Honorable
Court, made on the lth day Of Feb. last,
having expired, and on further proof being
made, the Judge, at petition Of Marston, end
on motion Of II. M. Advocate General, and
op reading The allegation and proofs in the
said cause, pronounced the said schooner
Wilhefmina, (whereef David Augustus Rey-
nolds was Mastery and goods and slaves on
board her, to have beIongned, at the time Of
tho capture and seizure thereof, to enemies
Of the crown of Great Britain, AID as such or
otbeywiss, subjsei and liable TO con6scs,ion,
and BY intcrloc utocy decree, condemned the
said vessel q cargo as good and lawful prize,
taken and seIzed by II. M. said brig Rhodian
John George Boss, Esq. commando, and
condemned the ssid slaves as.good and law
ful prlse TO our Sovereign LORD, the King,
Jufe Coronae and the Judge, by furihsr in-
terlocu,ory al the petition Of the Proctor for
the raptcrs, decreed that the said clsimsnf'
do forthwith bring into the regestfy the SUN
Of three thousand and nineiy-one pounds,
currency, being the amount ef the s,ipuls,ioh
bond entered into by them to answer the
adjudication thereof in this Honorable Court,
ske sa;d vs-.cl ~o,uo sod slaves havIn0 be n