The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-05-19
CAPTURE OF THE SLAYER.

We are indebted to the Secretary of the Navy
mr. Bancroft) for the permission to publish the
following letter. addressed to the late Secretary, Mr.
Mason. A friend in Washington has also been po-
lite enough to furnish us with extract from very
picturesque and interesting letter, which written
by an officer in the expedition. (The chivalry of
this officer well known in the State of his birth,
to his devoted friends in this city, and to his COM
rades in the navy-originaly drawn from his meri-
orous retirement by President Jackson, and hon.
ored by commission in the navy-his attachment
to letters amid the turmos of the seattle generosity
and the refine ment of his whole character, would
grace better pencil than own.) 1t is impossible
to read without indignant horror rapid escrpon
fthe manner in which the infamous slave trade is now
conducted. The picture is really frghtful We had
formed no adequate conception of its excesses. We
heard it estimated the other day. by an intelligent
gentleman, who is conversant with the official facts
upon the subject that the slave trade is carried
on with more activity than 1t is to be hoped
that the United States will spare honorable efforts,
consistently with the legitimate powers of their gov
eminent, and with the sanctty of their flag, to
press this outrage upon the age itself! All classes
of our people--all sections of country--are in
censed at its excuses. The Southern pulse beats
as impatently against it as that of the North. The
spirit of the Americanrises strongly in opposition
as that Of the Englishman, without his fanaticsm,
without his propagandism, and without the merce-
nary disposition to turn his professions of humanity
into the means of commercial ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.
Who can contemplate, for example, the efforts of
Mr. Wise to arrest the Dissertation Of our flag with
out respect Who can refrain from admring his
motives, his manly spirit, and his enthusiastic re-
spect for the honor of our fag'
"UN1TEp STATES BRIG TRuxroN,
"SrERRA LEONE, April 3, l645
aSrR: Information having reached Commodore
Skinner that an American schooner, named the
Spitfre was lying in the Rio Pongas for the pur-
pose of taking on board cargo of slaves this YES
sci was despatched TO examine her.
awe left Monrovia on the I4th of March, and an
chored off the Pongas on the 23d, where we found
her Maesty's steam sloop Ardent at anchor, under
the command Of Captain John Russell.
81 effected an arrangement with Captain Russell,
by which the boats of both vessels to act in
concert and on the Oath an expedition assembled the
river, all the boats displaying English colors. The
Spitfre was found anchor off the factory or trade
establishment belonging to Mr.. p. Faber, noted
slave dealer, residing about forty miles above the
mouth of the river. Our boats Immediately board
ed her, wearing the English flag, which was ex-
changed for the American as the officer
reached her deck, and before the vessels papers
were demanded. The Sptfre herself bore the
American flag
"On examination, it found that she had no
register, and that her papers generally were unsats
factory.
aUnder these circumstances, in accordance with
nv orders the officer in command of the expedition
took possession OF, and brought her down the river
for NV further action.
"The state of her papers, combined with the evil
dence in nv possession, that she had already sue
cessfully performed slave voyage from the same
river and that her present visit there was for the
same purpose induced to detain, and send her to
the United States to undergo judicial examination.
"Fnding il necessary TO take her TO Sierra Leone to
complete preparations for her return, accepted the
polite offer of Captain Russell to take us IN tow OF
his steamer he being bound to that place with a
Spanish vessel taken by the English boats at the
same time and place with the schooner
"As do not think her papers sufficient to show
her ownership in any particular port, have decided
to send her to Boston, under the command Of Lieu
tenant Reid.
"On the recommendation Of the surgeon, have or
dered Midshipman Wilcox to take passage in her,
and assist Lieutenant Reid far as his health will
permit crew Of six men and a boy have been
ordered to her from this VESSEL and she also takes
to the United States, the mate and four OF the crew
belonging to the schooner Manchester, Of Boston,
| recently wrecked on the coast The master OF the
Splthre, Captain Flowery, and such OF her officers
and men as were found on board, are also passen-
gers in her. She will probably be in readiness to
sail the 5th instant and il is my intention to sail
! for Port Praya on the same day.