Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-05-25
SCHOONER DECATUR.

unQer TIC IliC VI luTtHcT EARTHQUAKES
"The names Of the crew who have arrived
here, are John Campbell and James Brown
The former states that the captain and mate
were thrown over about 10 O'Clock in the day,
weather good, and light winds. Brown was, at
that time, asleep below, aft, where all the crew
lived to accommodate the slaves. Campbell
had been, but few minutes before, conversing
with the captain respecting The proPriety OF
permitting the negroes, except In small parcels,
10 come on deck, (there being only two or three
pair Of handouts on board; but captain G. OBJ
served, that he had frequently been engaged in
transporting slaves from one state TO another,
and never had any difficulty. MIR. e.. then left
him. and went aloft to do something, when ne
Immediately saw the slaves (by the names Of
Thomas Harrod and Manuel Wilson,) throw
the captain overheard.
As the captain dropped astern, the negro
men all ran aft, which noise awoke the mate,
who was asleep in the cabin-he ran on deck,
with only his panlaloons and shirt on, and while
looking over the side, at the captain, he was
thrown over. Campbell was still aloft, and can
not tell which of the slaves took hold OF the
mate, except one, a mulatto fellow, by the name
of Hill.
Brown says he did not get on deck until both
captain and mate were in the water-he sup
posed they had fallen over, and, in the act OF
clearing away the boat, he was seized and or
dered to desist. The man at the helm was
John Sutton, who, ever since the vessel sailed,
had apparently been insane-he made no at
tempt to relieve those overheard, nor did he al
Ter the vessels course. Whether he had agreed
10 Join the blacks or not is unknown. A few
nights afterwards he attempted the life Of Camp
peil as he lay in his birth, but his intention was
defeated, by the latter, who saw him approach
with Ratchet.
After the death Of the officers the negroes
took possession Of the cabin, and as the vessel
was well stocked with small stores, refresh
ments, SC. they soon devoured every thing
they broke open some of the casks Of spirits in
the hold;and obtained each salt ofnew clothes,
from some boxes which were in the same place
The blacks had avoided all vessels they saw;
but the Constitution, being in want OF re-
freshments for her crew, and supposing, cor
rec,ly, that the Decatur must be just out oil
port. took pains to speak her--having quarter
boats, ampbell tod the negroes she was a
man. of-war, and that twould be useless 10 at
tempt avoiding her; on which they permitted
her to approach.
The ships boat came on board Tor supplies,
lust at sunset, when the crew were directed by
the blacks to state that the officers had been
lost overheard, SC. which they did, anc that
thew were in want Of water-not having any
susp .cion as 10 the true character Of the vessel
they were supplied with three casks. 1t was
not until the next morning that Campbell had
an opportunity 10 tell the captain Of the ship
what had taken place, which he did on being
taken board his vessel The crew OF the ship
were immedia.ly armed with muskets and pis-
tolls, and sent TO the schooner, and ordered the
negroes 10 surrender, which they did, (there
being only four old muskels, three of them un.
fit for use, and two pistols on board the schr)
and were all brought on board the ship. The
intention Of captain Chase being to bring them
and the schooner into port; but having no
handouts to conGne the men, most OF whom
were young and powerful, he was fearful OF an
attempt to regain their liberty, and therefore
returned all but two on board.
When the Decatur was fallen in with, I'd in
slant, she was steering to the south and east,
and we learn tina, the Constitution was then in
lat. %, long 50. After leaving the ship, the
schooner was directed, by captain Chase, to
steer 10 the north and west, and she continued
tina, course for about twenty four hours, while
the ship was in sight.
The above named Sutton, and young man
by the name Of John -, said TO have been
born in Boston, remained by the schr. not wish
ing to leave her. 1t is not supposed by Camp.
bell or Brown, that the latter had any connec.
ton with The negroes in the mutlny, but that
he remained through ignorance, being green
hand He had arrived at Baltimore, not long
since, in company with Campbell, in the brig
Betsey, Captain Bourne, Of Boston, from New
Orleans, of which vessel they were seamen.
The Decatur had an assorted, but not full
cargo, and the communication from the cabin
to the places constructed forward, for the slaves
was but slightly INSTRUCTED, the bulk-head hav-
ing been knocked away to stow the cargo
Captain Galloway, it is said, has wife and
three children at Baltimore.
One of the males brought in here is an old
man, by the name of William --; the other,
Young man, by the name Of Isaac --. 1t
does moi appear that they were concerned with
the others. The women, (who were all taken
out, as well as the chidren,) state, as we I'M
derstand, not having seen them, that the plot
was agreed upon four days before 1t was carried
into execution, but they do not impllcate any OF
the crew, The steward of the schooner, CO.
Iored man, was also taken out and brought IN.
A negro, by the name Of Jones, and who had
been to sea number of voyages, as sailor,
appeared to have the principal direction on
board the schooner; but there was no one that
knew any thing of navigation.
The trunk and writing desk OF captain Gal