The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-04-21
THE SLAVE BAROUE pONS.

The following interesting statement in relation
TO the capture of this vessel by the United States
ship Yorktown, has been made by Lieut.. Richard
f.. COgdell before Judge Randall, in the United
States District Court, and forms the groundwork
upon which the condemnation of said vessel is
founded. Mr.. c. deposed substantially as fol-
lows:-
She had the American colors flying at the
time from the peak. She was hailed by Capt
Bell, and his answer was "Barque Pons. of
Philadelphia, from Cabendo. bound to'' some
place on the Coast OF Africa, il was So indislinci
] could not hear the name of the place. Capt
Bell ordered her to heave to, to send 4 boat on
board When we hailed we hoisted American
colors. and sometimes used sister flag as decoy
Capt. Bell ordered boat lowered and sent Lieut..
Steele to board her. On the boat showing off from
the Yorktown, they hauled down the American
colors from the Pons and hosted Portuguese coIors
The quarteImaster reported that he could read
her name-Pons, of Philadelphia, on her stern.
Shortly after Lieut.. Steele got on board, the York
town ranged up alongside, and Lieut. Steele
hailed the Yorktown and informed Capt Bell that
he had made prize, as she had no papers on
board, and had cargo of between 8 and 900
slaves. Capt. Bell ordered him to send the com
mander and crew on board the Yorktown, which
was done. On coming aboard they were between
thirty and forty. Immediately after, the Captain
of the Pons, John B. Galliano. was sent on board.
He remained on board and dined, the Pons being
then in charge of Of the officers of the York
town. | was directed by Capt. Bell to 20 on
board and remain by him during the night in the
morning he would give me further Instructions [
went on board with ten men and masters mate !;
ON going board | saw a number of slaves under
hatchway--men, women and children tho women
were on deck in forward cabin. men below and
boys on deck. Capt. Galliano was allowed to re-
turn with me. found the next morning eighteen
of the slaves dead, and one that either jumped
overheard or was thrust over by his companions :;
we could not save him. BY direction of Capt
Bell an officer relieved me. 1 went on board the
Yorktown and received my final papers as prize
master; this was on the high seas in lat 8 Is,
S.. long. 8 SO e. from Greenwich
We made sail, parted company with the York
town, and made the best of our way for Monrova,
and delivered the slaves to the United States
agent at that place; was Ia days in reaching
Monrovia; l59 died the passage. ! landed
756, making 9l5 on board, and have Or. Lu-
genbile's receipt he being the u. S. agent, for
756 recaptUred Africans. The four men and
Capt. G.. were sent on board when received nv
instructions. Capt. Bell instructed me verbally to
allow Capt. Galliano TO go shore at MonrOvia
to purchase clothing He made his escape, and
heard nothing Of him afterwards he was Por-
tuguese, and it was generally supposed by the Of
ficers that nothing could be done with him. The
rest of the remained on board the Yorktown
Capt. Bells written instructions were TO bring
Capt. Gallano and men captured on board of the
POns to the United States. Capt, Bell slated his
object in sending these men to the United States
was more as witnesses his impression was that
nothing could be dUne with them as they were
Portuguese.
1t was at Capt. Galliano's request on board the
Yorktown, that if he was to 20 to the United
States, he should be allowed to 90 on shore at
Monrovia TO procure clothing, which Capt Bell
assentes to. Capt. Galano stated that he look
ed upon the slave business in different light
from what did, as he was Outstanding them
whilst now they were no better than MONKEYS
He expected to take 800 or 400 more, but
British cruiser prevented him. He said he pur-
chased the Pons from Graham, and that Capt
Graham sent man by the name Of Berry az
their ostensble captain, which man remained ON
board with the American papers until within a
few hours of the slaves coming on board As
soon as every thing was ready, he (Berry) and
that portion of the crew which was American
and the papers went ashore. Capt. Gallaao
said that were a number of letters tied I'D in
handkerchief, with 200 muslet balls, which lei
iers, that might implicate great many, were
thrown overheard as soon as Lieut. Steele board .
cd her.
The town Of Monrovia is at Cape Mesurado
arrived here on the 18th of March, and delivered
the barque on the 18th.
John and Manuel say they were shipped at
Madeira under Capt Graham, under American
colors in the Pons; the others were part of the
Portuguese crew.