The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-03-18
EDITORS CORRESPONDENCE.
lfrom our regular eoHespondsnt
PHILADELPHIA, March II, l64

Since ] wrote you in regard to the SLAYER Pons
captured near the coast OF Africa, by the u. s.
ship Yorktown, with cargo Of slaves, Lieutenant
Cogdsl, who had the vessel in charge and the four
Portuguese sailors sent here with her, has brought
her 10 this port, and she may now be seen at the
upper pier Of the Southwark Marine Railway. am
indebted for the following description Of her to the
reporter Of the Ledger
"She measures about $50 TONS her keel is 81 feel
long and she has "a feet BEAM with depth Of hold
Of about IL feet Making the usual allowance for
the forecaste, It would leave the dimensions Of the
i hold, In which 800 negroes were slowed away, 10
be about 80 feet by a. There appears to have been
alterations in the vessel 10 ht her for the inqu
tous traffic in flesh and blood. The lower portion
OF the hold at the time Of her capture covered
with range of waier-easks, beneath which was
also slowed the necessary quantity OF ballast The
water and ballast occupied about four feet OF the
whole depth Of hold. On top Of these casks, and In
the interstiees between them, were placed bags OF
fanns, in order TO make moro level surface, and
these were covered over with mating TO complete
the accommodations for the cargo. Some idea msy
be formed Of the space allowed TO each Of the 800
4 originally placed on board Of her, by considering the
dimensions OF The portion of the hold TO which
they they were confined, being, az stated above,
4 but about 80 feet long by "a feet wide.
I "When the Pons was captured, the matches were
all battened down, with the exception Of one, Of
about four feet square; this covered by grating,
/
and confined hold in which the wretched beings
forming her cargo struggling for existence.
| The fsrna mentioned as being In the hold, was in
tended for the sustensnee Of the negroes; but
though they had been out three days when cap
tured il Is said that particle Of food had been
distributed 10 them in that time The fsrina was
| afterwards used for their food mixed with oil.
"The eaboose is situated on the deck near the
foremast, and contains large brick Fireplace and
rough iron grating on which 10 place the cooking
utensils. Immediately aft OF this is the long-boat,
4 with house over it. The cabin is also upon deck,
and on a small quarterback at the stern is the
wheel and a small cabin for the pilot. The vessel
appears TO have been substantially built, and Of an
excellent model for fast sailing, but looks rusty
from her long voyage and the heavy gales encoun-
tered"
II appears from the official record as filed in the
custom house, for this district, that "the Pons'
registered on the 30th December, l643, by her own
ers several wellknown merchants here; and that
Capt. Thomas Graham was her master. II has,
however, since been authoritatiyely stated, that
Capt. Graham authorized by the owners 10
dispose OF 1.-The Pons," and that he accordingly
did so at Rio Janerio. The James Berry, alluded 10
by Commandant Charles II. Bell in his letter to the
Secretary of the Navy, as published in Saturday
nights Union, was, II appears, first mate Of the
! "Pons" while that vessel was in charge Of Captain
Graham; and it appears, by testimony that will DO
produced in the proper time, well as from the
letter Of Commandant Bell that Berry remained with
"the Pons" until Immediately prior TO the time when
the negroes were taken on board! This cireuu,-
stance is pretty strongly commented upon here.
Berry il is TO be hoped acted for himself alone; but
his conduct exhibits singular combination Of rcck-
lessness and cunning; for knowing, as he did that
all other vessels those sailing under the flag Of
the United States could be searched il suspected Of
being in the slave traffic, he remained in the Pons
with American colors flying, while watched by the
British brig "Cygnet," (Which vessel was well as
sured of his designs) long enough to ull the sus-
picons of his pursuers and then, the moment their
backs were turned, he slipped out Of 'the Pons, =
and GaIano slipped in and the negroes hurried
on board--hus escaping all detection. The sudden
retreat of Galano after the capture Of the Pons 10
J also significant These circumstances have awaken
, ed deal of interest here, and the Hon. Thomas
M. Petit, the able and efficient attorney for the
United States for the eastern district Of Pennsylvs
mia, filed the following libel against she Pons, for
violation of the act of Congress Of May 10, 1900,
prohibiting the transportation of slaves from one for
eign country to another. | have taken the trouble
to make copy from the official record:
; "UNIrED STATES OF AMERICA,
Al Eastern district Of Pennsylvania.
ain the district court of the United States for the
eastern district Of Pennsylvania.
"To the Hon. Archibald Randall, Judge Of the
district court Of the United States for the eastern
district of Pennsylvania:
"Bs il remembered, That on the 18th day Of March,
X,
before the Hon. Archibald Randall Judge afore-
n said comes into court, Thomas M. Petit attorney
= Of the United States for the eastern district Of
, Pennsylvania and in the name and behalf, well
:. of the United States of America Of all per.
concerned propounds, and gives the said court
7 teth day Of November, in the year one thousand
eight hundred and forty-fve, on the high seas,
I Charles H. Bell, ESQ.,, commanding the United
States armed ship Yorktown did seize and
D take certain vessel barque called the Pons,
then and there being vessel of the United States,
7 and owned by citizens of the United States, her
tackle, apparel, and furniture, and the goods and
: effects found on board of her; and that the said
Charles H. Bell commanding the United States
Q America ship, 'the Yorktown hath since caused
the said vessel called the Pons' her tackle, APP
parel and furniture and the goods and effects found
on board of her. to be brought into the eastern dis
trict of Pennsylvania within the jurisdiction Of this
g court and that UNDER and by force and virtue Of
said seizure, the said barque, her tackle, apparel,
}; and furniture, and the goods and effects found on
board of her, within the eastern district Of
Pennsylvania, and within the jurisdiction Of this
o court in the custody Of the marshal Of the United
States for said district being forfeited for the fol-
lowing causes, to wit
n "For that, heretofore, to wit, on the thirtieth
: day of November, in the year one thousand eight
. hundred and fory-hve, the said barvue being
sci of the United States, and owned by citizens Of
r the United States, employed in carrying on
trade, business and traffic contrary to the true in
t tent and meaning of an act Of Congress passed on
r the tenth day Of May in the year one thousand
eight hundred, entitled An act in addition to
the act entitled an act to prohibit the carry
ing on the slave trade from the United States to
any foreign place or country that is to say,
employed and made of in the transportation and
carrying Of slaves from one foreign country TO
nnother-to wit: from Africa to Brazil, contrary to
the form of said act, in such case made and pro-
vided by reason whereof, and by force Of the said
statute the said vessel barque, her tackle, appa
rel, and furniture and the goods found on board of
her, have become forfeited; wherefore the said at
torney prays sdvisement OF the court here in the
premises, and that due process may be issued to en-
force the said forfeiture, and to give notice to all
persons concerned in interest to appear and show
at the return day of the process, why the said
forfeiture should not be decreed.
ct. NJ. PETIT,
Attorney of the u S. for the eastern district OF Pa"
lit shall appear that the above vessel was owned