Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1847-09-23
Drowning of Six Hundred Slaves.

the hiriCan coast Cllpper-DrIg, Cdieu the
Brilliante, commanded by desperate nam
ed Homans Romans was an Englishman
by birth, and was known along the whole
coast in Cuba, as the most successful SLAYER
of the day. The brig was owned by two
men residing in Havana, one an English
man, the other Spaniard. She was built
to carry six hundred negroes, and in her
Romans had made ten successful voyages,
actually landing in Cuba five thousand ne
gres The brig carried ten guns, had thir-
ty sweeps and a crew of sixty Spaniards,
most of them old pirates, as desperate as
their commander. An English brig of war
which attacked her, was SO cut up in hull
and rigging, that she was abandoned, and
soon after sunk an English man-of-war
attempted to carry the Brillante with boats,
which were beaten off with great Slaughter.
Now it was known that Romans was again
on the coast and it was resolved to make an
other attempt to take him, with the evidence
of his guilt on board. The arrangements
for this purpose were well made He was
allowed to take in his cargo of negroes and
set sail.
The Brilliante had not lost sight of the
coast when the quick eye of her command
er discovered that he was entrapped. -Four
cruisers, three of them English, and one A.
merican, had been laying in wait for him,
and escape was hopeless. In running away
from one he would come within reach of
of another. Night was coming on, and
Romans was silently regarding his pursuers,
when suddenly the huge sails of the brig
tapped idly-the wind died away, and the
SLAYER was motionless on the waters. "This
will not do" muttered Romans, knocking
away the ashes from his segar, their boats
will be down upon me before | am ready for
the visit" and as he said this his stern face
lit up with smile, the expression of which
was diabolical. 1t was evident enough that
he meditated some deperate plan.
A dozen sweeps were got out, and the
vessel moved slowly through the water
Meantime the darkness having deepened,
Romans proceeded to carry out his design.
The cable attached to the heaviest anchor
was taken outside of the hawse hole, and
carried round the rail of the brig, extending
from the bow, aft the stern, and then for
ward on the other side. The matches were
then taken off, and the negroes passed up,
each securely ironed by the wrists. As
the miserable wretches came up from the
hot hold into the fresh air, they expressed
by their looks gratitude which would have
softened the heart of any but the fiend in
whose power they were. Without a word
they were led to the side, and made to bend
over the rail, outside of which the chain
ran. The irons which clasped their wrists
were then fastened by smaller chains to the
links of the cable. 1t was slow work, but
Lac Al c;v bn A g.,
cans male and female, were bending over
the rail of the brig in painful position,
holding by their chained hands the huge
cable, which was attached to heavy an
Choir, suspended by single sling from the
bow
Romans himself examined the fastenings
to see that every negro was strongly bound
to the chain. This done, he ordered the
pen-work of the hold to be broken up
brought on deck, bound up in mating, ano
well filled with shot and thrown overheard
The work was completed an hour befor
day-break, and now the only witnesses O
Romans guilt were attached to that fata
chain. Romans turned to the mate, an,
with a smile full of meaning, said in Span
ish -
Haro take an axe and 90 forward. TIL
wind will come off to us soon. Listen t
the word, and when you hear it cut tn
string"
The man went forward, and Homan
turned and in vain endeavored to penetrate
the darkness, 81 don't want to lose the mig
gers" he said, speaking aloud" and yet
dare not wait until day light. ] wish l knew
where the hounds were."
At that instant the report ola gun reach
ed his ear, then another, and another, ant
another, in different directions The cruis
ers were firing signal guns.
"Thats enough" exclaimed Romans
81 know where you are" Then raising
his voice, he cried Harro, are you ready
The wind will reach us SOON"
cay, ay, sir" was the response.
In few minutes the sails began to fill
and the vessel moved slowly through thu
water.
GLOW much water do you suppose W.
have" asked Romans, turning to the maj
at the wheel
Fifty fathoms at least" was the reply.
"That will do" the SLAYER muttered, an'
he walked forward, and examined carefully
the chain gang" as he brutally terme,
his diabolical invention.
The negroes sent up pitious groans. Fo
many hours they had been bent over in thi
unnatural position, by which they were sui
fering the keenest torture.
The breeze strengthened, and the Bril-
lante dashed like a racer over the deep
Romans hailed from the quarter deck
while his men collected in groups, saw uu
moved, the consummation of the plan.
Are you ready, Harro"
Ay, ay, SIR
Homan looked round, and into the dark
ness, now fast giving way to the moon
Then he Numbered out
"Strike !"
There was sound of single blow,
heavy plunge, and as the cable fell on TN
side, crash, above which rose one terrible
shriek-it was the last cry of the murdered
Africans One moment more and all wal
still. Six hundred human beings had gone
down with that anchor and cham INTO thu
depths of the ocean
Two hours after daybreak the Brillant'
was oyerhauled. There was no evidence
that she was SLAYER, and her captors wer'
Obliged to let her pass. The instruction
H. o.,:.oxs Of that time did not allow YES