Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1849-01-11

Beware of New Orleans.

On the 9th of May, 1917, shipped on boarC
the schooner Comet, at Baltimore, Joseph irish,
master, to proceed on voyage from the above
port to Tampico, and from thence to New Or.
leans, myself in the capacity of cook, and nv
wife IN that of sewardess '
Nothing extraordinary occurred durinr tbo
voyage, until our arrival at New Orleans ot
which time 1t was understood that the scboon,
or would receive cargo for New York. We.
OF COURSE after dlscharging cur inward bound
cargo, commenced reloading at LAFAYETTE. and
on the "a July, we went to the second Munici-
PaIlty 10 take IN the remainder of our cargo.
Upon our arrival there, myself and wife were
tahen out OF the vessel by the proper authori
tles' ana committed to prison, and on the follow
ing Jay we were taken before Recorder Raid.
WIN Mr.. Baldwin inquired what vessel we be-
longed to. told him the schooner Comet He
asked Tor our free papers. l told him they were
on board the said vessel, stating At the ssns
Philadelphia. Mr.. Baldwin ordered me to be ST.
lent, and directed myself and wife to be confined
in the chain gang. We were chained together
as brutes. Through hunger and confinement,
we were reduced to mere skeletons, which pre-
vented us, on several occasions, from performing
our usual tasks, and in default of which we sus-
tanned the lash and endured the most excrucia-
ting pain
On the LIST of March, 184s, Lieut.. Carpenter,
whom had served under on board the U. S.
frigate Constitution on the Pacific station, in
1898, happened to pass by whilst we were at
work. and Immediately recognised me. This
gallant officer and philanthropist inquired into
the nature of our circumstances, and used his
utmost exertions in our behalf; by which means
myself and wife were discharged from the infer
nal den on the 9th ut,
We tender our sincere thanks, on this coca
sion, to Lieut.. Carpenter for our freedom. HaC
it not been for him, we should at the expiration
of twelve months, have been placed upon The
auction block, and knocked off TO the highes
bidder.
Upon our discharge from prison, an accoun
was rendered for our Jail fees, amounting t.
$l72. We demonstrated, stating, at the sam
time, we had no money, neither did we see an
direct way of getting any. The jailer then de
Quoted 800 from the bill, leaving balance q
$72, and gave us the privilege of shipping o
board New Orleans vessel, and no other.
On the following day, by chance we shippe
on board the brig Victory, of New Olleans job
Hall master, then ready for sea, bound for Apa
lachicol4, thence to Elsineur, and back to Ne
Orleans.
Believe US, our onest-hearted readers, at tn
time of our joining this vessel we were almo
naked, the greater part of our clothing havil
been taken from us by the jailer, and the relnSll
ing portion being nearly worn out by us. W
are happy to say that Capt, Hall was very kin
and exhibited every mark of benevolence durir
the voyage. And we further declare, that tt
very day of our arrival, after performing Il
voyage in the brig Victory, our wages were q
tached by the proper authorities for our Jail fee
> and we were left pennyess.
After an eiapse of few days, we were fort
nate enough to get passage from thence
Boston. Our depressed circumstances and
: iured feelings will not allow us to say any nc
" upon the subject. We merely wish to INFO
our colored brethren of the danger and cruel
:. and injustice, which await them in New {
- leans.
p JOHN CALLS,
: CHARLOTTE CALLS
! Boston, Dec. 8, 1913.