Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1844-01-25
GsnsraI sntsIIlntntt.



Release Of 2 Ansrican Citizens at Hayfi
Captain George II. Wilson. Of The brig
Fairfield. arrived here yesterday in the
steamer from Norfolk. The officers and
crew Of the Fairfield came from Nassau
N. P. 10 The schooner James Power, which
latter arrived in Hampton Roads on Tues.
day. Capt. Wilson reports that the Fair;
Geld was cast away on The Island Of Sauna
ma. on The night Of the 18th of December
-ths vessel and cargo I total loss. On
the morning Of The l4lh the crew succeed
ed in getting ashore 10 the boats. where
they remained until the l7th, withoutre-
ceiving any assistance. On that day the
gale moderated, and the male, Mr.. Scott,
proceeded in the boat to Crooked Island.
for assistance. Here he met with the
sloop Lively. which sailed Immediately
for Ssmana, and carried the the captain
and crew ofthe Fairfield TO Nassau. The
Fairfield was owned by Metsrs. SHIELDING
s Ferris, Of New York.
Welearn from Capt Wilson thai du-
ring his stay At Nassau, the us. Reeve
nue. Gutter Nautilus arrived there to de-
msnd the slaves who fed from Florids
some time since, committed murder At
Key Biscayne, aud then took refuge al
Nassau. The Nautilus was compelled,
however, TO sail again without accom-.
plishing her object. The authorities Of
Nassau refused 10 give up the fugitives
from justice on The plea that the proofs
were not sufficient.
Capt. Wilson also brings snitem ofin.
telligence Of a very gratifying nature, and
calculated TO reflect the highest credit
on our little Navy, which proves itself in
time Of peace as jealous in protecting oul
fellow citizens from the oppressive acts o.
foreign governments as il would be il
time Of war in maintaining the honour anc
dignity Of our flag. tits well known tha
1.-Two Of our counirymen, Messrs. Thomas
and Curtis late master and: mate OF thu
brig Zebra, have been lying in prison q
Gonaives, in the island OF Hsyti. sinci
early 10 last August, on charge of shoot
j ing an English captain who came along
side the Zebra during the night 70 eniic'
. portion Of her crew.to desert. The poo
fellows had made several applications L
the Government Of the United States 20
relief, and instructions were sent out L
the American Agent at Cape Hayden K
call the immediate attention OF The Hay
tien authorities TO the subject. but all with
out effect. The tribunals fjustice at Go
naiyes were 10 state OF Reorganization
our unfortunate seamen had already been
lincarcerated more than four mouths anc
yet there appeared no prospect of then
federation for many months 10 come.
| They were almost beginning to despair
Of ever being brought 10 trial or liberated
4 so dilstory were all the movements OF The
Revolutionary Government In this con
junctnre the U. s. Brig Bsinbridse, Com.
mander Madison, arrived at Gonaises
and the aid OF that officer was Of course
at once solicited by Capt. Thomas and hi
mate. They were visited 10 prison BY Capt
Madison and his officers, WHOSE feeling
we're shocked at beholding two Of thei
own countrymen confined in the midst o
the most intolerable filth, aud surrounded
| BY desperadoes OF every age, seq and col
-FOUR. Their condition was found 10 b
miserable in the extreme. All; the pris
ohefs, many OF whom were confined or
1.-THE gravest charges, we're allowed 10 range
The prison at large, and had free access Il
the apartment in which Messrs. Thothal
and Curtis we're confined, as well as al
other parts. The Hayden Government
il appears, alIowedthem but half dollar
per week for their support. a.surn mani
festly inadequate 10 subsist them single
day.. Had il not been for the possession
81 small amount of money Of their own
and some friends they found amongst The
foreign residents, they would very soor
have perished from Starvation.
Having satisfied himself fully of thespn
founded character Of the charge on which
lthey were confined, Capt. Madison deter
mined 10 take decided stand, and with
ont delay 10 relieve them from their sui
/ ferine condition. He Immediately callet
upon the Military Commandant, and il
i the most decided manner told him tina
THE American Government would not tol
crate for a single instant the least act
i injustice towards its citizens, and demand
ed the release Of the prisoners, or else tbei
tBial according 10 the laws Of the coun
TRY. But the authorities Of Gonsives coul'
do nothing or themselves; and, il is un
derstood, referred the Captain 10 Port al
Prince, the seat Of Government.
/ Capt. NJ. determined not 10, be foile'
4 in bis object. at once proceeded 70 Por
au Prince, and there made similar de
! nahd on the Provisional Government
which, convinced by bis emphatic Ian
guage that he was not TO be irihed with
made the most satisfactory response, an,
issued an order for their release from pri
son and delivery into his hands. Hayinl
accomplished this Object the HainbTidg
sailed on The 9th Of December fof Gonaive
10 take on board the two prisohers. VIII
by this time Ssre undoubtedly relieve
from confinement and on their WIZ 10 thei
own country.
Captain Madison deserves The greaie,
I praise fot the successful TERMINATION I
! this affair. His conduct was Frpmpt. er
ergetie and manly, and must have th
hsppiest effect on our commercial iniei
course with this leland.
i BalRooninr-lMr. Efse.-Ahong Il
petitions presented 10 Congress on Tue
49,. ia go me nv Mr. MRS fro