Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-04-17
CAPE DE VERBS.
on Gas.

We took OCCASION in our last tn refer to the ST.
tuation of the sufferers at Cape de Verd. We
have now before US a letter from Capt rrathen,
Of the brig Forest, to Robert Ral>ton. Esq. from
which we propose to make a few extracts. The
brig arrived at the Isle OF Sal on the eth of Ja.
Buarv, 1888; but as there was less of suffering
there than at some of the eeward Of the group,
Cant. Il made sail for Bonavista, where he ar
riv ed on the 29rh, and addressed letter to the
Governor, stating that he had brought outa car
90 of provisions from Philadelphia. for gratui.
ous distribution to the sufferers of those Islands.
United States Gazette.
The following is the Governors reply:
Mr.. James Trathen, Commander Of the brig E-
Sir:-I have the honor to acknowledge the re.
ceipt of your communication dated on board of
the brig Forest Yesterday. wherein you say your
vessel is chartered bv a committee OF gentlemen,
appointed by the citizens Of Philadelphia. to re.
lieve the suferenss Of the ponr Of these Islands;
this Is indeed another proof of the divine spirit
of charity which exists in your blessed country.
The wretched state of the Inhabitants Of that
Island battles attempt at descriptions; Tor the
ment we landed, we were surrounded by at least
thousand miserable Wretches, halt frantic with
hunger, and lettering with debility and disease
men, women and children inuIscrlminateiy
assailed.u US for food begging for the love OF God
and the saints, to save them from perIshing.-
Those who were already on the brink of eternity,
and had not strength to solicit with their voices,
did SO mere e!olu.n iy BY raising tIev hands
to their mouths, aud then laying itton their
stonachs, an appeal that could not be mlsunder-
stood. MANY OF those poor creatures could not
stand, others with their bones protruding through
their skin, and all of them looking like human
skeletons. Oh! what sigu VAS that. On the
third day after my arrival, waited on the Gov.
ernor, who resided at the principal town. four
miles from where the vessel was anchored.
This Island, am happy to say, is not in so
distressed state as some Of the other Islands in
this neighborhood; particularly st. Antonio, where
the mortality is frightfu indeed. and unless time
ly aid is sent to them, the consequences will be
terrible. l therefore most earnestly entreat Of
you to sail as soon as possible for this unfortunate
Island. where think you had better land the
whole of your cargo. The freight, as per btl ct
lading, am ready at any moment to pay
Wishing you long and happy life.
Sir, remain your Ob't, humble serv't,
Signed By The GOVERNOR
To the Commander Of the brig Forest.
On Wednesday. January sOth. we took on
board $50 barrels Of provisions, which the Cove
nor requested me to land at ST. Antonio with my
own cargo. On Thursday the SD at 8 A. NJ.
we weighed anchor and made sail; the mex, day
at 8 P. VI. we anchored 10 the Roads. at S. An
tomb, and commenced Immediately to discharge
the cargo.
This was another very painful task. for the
road was rendered nearly impassable by the
multitude Of poor starving creatures on their way
to the port expecting to get a share of the food
that Was there distributed every day after my ar
rival Some Of them we're so weak that they
could not get more than 90 yards without stop.
ping to rest themselves, and many that were CON-