The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1839-09-04
CAPTURE OF THE SPANISH SCHOO-
NER ARMISTEAD.


Ths New London Gazette Of Wednesda,
last gives th~ following interesting account o
the capture and occurrences on board of III,
long. low. blsc. schooner. which we stated las
week had been carried into that port.
u. S. s. Brig Washington, }
Ncw London, august 26h, 1889.
Whilst this vessel was sounding this day
between Gardner's and Montauk Points,
schooner was seen lying in shore off Culloden
Point. under circumstances 80 suspicious as to
authorize Lieut.. Com. Gedney 10 stand IN IA
see chat vas her characler--seeing a number
Of people on the beach with carts and horses
aud boat passing 10 snd fro, boat was armed
and DISPATCHED with an officer TO board her.
On coming along side number Of negroes
wefe discovered on her deck and twenty or
thrt, more we're on the beach-two white men
cams forward and claimed The protection of
the officer. The schooner proved to be the
"Ams,sd." Capt. Ramonhu-s. from the lIa-
yannah boapd to GuanaJa, Port Principe, with
81 BACKS and tyO passengers on board the
former four nights after they were ont rose and
murdered the Captain and three of'thc crew,
they then took possession of the vessel with the
Intention Of returning to the coast Of Africa.
Pedro Monies, passenger, and Jose Rues own
er OF the slaves and part of the cargo, were
ony saved TO navigate the vessel. After box
ing about for four DAYS in the Bahama Chan
Hel the vessel was lleered for the Island Of 81.
Andrews, near New Providence, hom thence
shc went 10 Green Key, where the black. laid
IN a supply of water. After leaving this place
the vessel was slccred by Pedro Monies for
New Providence. The negroes being under the
Impression that she was steering for the coast
ni Afrlcs-thcy you'd not however permit her
t0 enter the pou bat anchored every night of
the coast. The situation Of the two whites was
all this time truly deplorable, being treated with
the greatest severity, and Pedro Monies, who
had charge of the navigation, was suffering
from two severe wounds. one IN the head aud
one IN the arm, their lives threatened every
instant. He WAC ordered to change the course
again for the coast Of Africa, the negroes them
selves steering by the sun in the day time
whilst at night he would alter their course so
az 10 bring them back 10 their original place OF
destination.-They remained three days on
Long Island TO the eastward of Providence,
after which time they were two months on the
ocean. sometimes steering 10 the eastward and
whenever an occasion would permit. the whites
would alter the course To the nor,hward and
westward, always in hopes Of falling in with
to some por, when they would be- relieved from
their horrd situation. Several times they
were boarded bv vessels; once by an American
schooner from Kingston, on these occasions the
whites were ordered below while the negroes
communicated and traded with the vessel; the
schooner from Kingston supplied them with a
demJon OF water for the moderate sum of one
doub!oon-this schooner, whose name was not
nscertained. finding that the negroes had plenty
OF money. remained lashed alongside the :" Ar
nlstad' for twenty four hours, though they
must have been aware that all was not right OF
board. and probably suspected the character Of
the vessel--lhis was on the 18th OF the present
month the vessel was steered to the north
ward and westward, and on the Goth instant,
distant from ~ Y. % miles, the Pilot boat
No. came along side and gave the negroes
some apples. She was also hailed by No. 1,
when the latter boat came near, the negroes
armed themselves and would not permit her 10
board them; they were so exasperated with
the Two whites for bringing them SO much out
Of their way that they expected every moment
20 be murdered. On the path they made Mon.
tauk Light and s,ecrcd for it in the hope of
running the vessel ashore, but the tide drifted
them up the bay aud they anchored where
they were found by the Brig Washington. off
Culloden point. The negroes were found in
communication with the shore. where they laid
In fresh supply of water and were on the
point of sailing again for the coast of Africa.
They had good supply Of money with them.
some Of which it is likely was taken BY the
people on the beach. After they were disarm-
ed and sent on hoard from the beach, the ring
leader Jumped overheard with three hundred
doubloons about him, the property of the Cap
tain, all Of which he succeeded in oosing from
his person and theo permitted himself to be
captured. The schooner was taken in tow by
the brig and brought into New London"
Tuesday, Ie O'Clock, A. W.
We have Just returned from visit to the
Washington and her prize. which are riding at
anchor in the bay near the fort On board the
former we saw aud converscd with the two
Spanish gentlemen who were passengers on
board the Schooner, as we'll as owners Of the
negroes aud most Of the cargo. One Of them
Jose Rues is very geuilemanly and intelligent
young man, and speaks English fuently. lie
was the owner Of most of the slaves and cargo.
which he vas conveying 10 his estate on the
Island Of Cuba. The other. Pedro Montcs, is
about fifty year. OF age, and is the owner OF
three Of the slaves. He was formerly a shin.
master. and has nayigatcd the vessel since her
seizure BY the blacks. Both OF them. a. may
be ustarsly supposed. are most unfcignedy
thankful for their deverancc. Jose Pedro is the
most striking instance Of compacency aud uu
alloyed delight. we ever have Witnessed, aud II
is not suanee, since only yesterday. his seu-
fence wss pronounced by the chief of the bu.
caDnieTs, sad his death song chsnted by the
grim cree, Who gathered With upliited sabres
arsund his devoted head. which. ~ well as his
arms. bear the ecsrs Of several wounds infiict
ed at the time Of the murder Of the il-fsted
ca7isin and cree. He sat smoking his Ha-
'ana on the deck. and "a judge from the mar
iyr-liks ssrsn,ty Of his eountenauce, his emo
tions IRE sueh ss rarely str the heart of man.
When Mr.. Porlev. ,lsc prize master. assured
him Of HE safety. he threw his arms a.
round D" necA, white gushing tears eoursinp
do~n his turrosed cheek, bespoke the over
GaS~.=x IL ~ w.