The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-10-23

and mako amends TO the family, was done by the
Commissioner and his officers
A few days after this, another case OF murder
occurred among the party, even more shocking
than tho above. A Texan teamsieI had for seve-
raj days frequently insulied one Of the men of the
party-a butcher from this city, named Tenant,
\ very worthy man-and ende avored to draw him
into q fight Tenant at length said that il the
other would lay aside his wea pons, he would give
him fair fight, and seconded his proposition by
throwing his own knife away. The Texan IN
stantly rushed the defencelcss man, plunged his
bowie knife in him. and killed him on the spot.
Before he could be seized the murderer leaped on
horse and escaped into the neighborng chapar-
raj, but was instantly pursued by mounted party,
was captured placed in irons, and on reaching San
Antonio was delivered by Mr. Bartlett to the civil
authority The preliminary examination of the
case was going on when the mail left San Antonio.
The letters are silent as to the time when the
expedition would proceed on its route; but as by
the requirements Of the treaty the surveying party
must rendezvous at Ell Paso by the 4th Of Novem-
at San Antonio At this place the commissioner
had been obliged to purchase OK teams for his
wagons, the horses procured being inferior and
unserviceable.
seanen In Captivity among tho Arabs.
The Republic publishes the following report of
Commander l.. M Powell TO the Navy Department
relative to American seamen said 10 be in captivity
among the Arabs on the West coast of Africa -
u s. JoHs ADAMS,
MADEIRA, 25th August 1850. (
Sir-I have the honor to report that 10 obedience to
the instructions Of Commodore Gregory, sailed on
the 10th Of July last from Porte for the Gambia
in order to communicate with Richard Lloyd, Esq
who had kindly given the Commodore infor alton re-
lative to several mercan sesmen said to be held BY
the Trassart Arabs Portandic, for ransom. The
| sum demanded, rs Mr. Lloyd informed ne, was not
ess than $500, and 81 900, II he could get it.
| ments with Mr.. Lloyd, paid him $500 in hand, and
gave him to understand that when the men we're de-
hyered htbey had been well treated, should pay to
him the remainder, to wit, $780, for the ransom jim
| full.
| Mr. Llsyd informed me that he doubted much the
truth Of the story told by the Moors who the in
formation and who were intent on reopening the
tinct trade of Pors.dic and who may have resortsd
to this Prete1t for getting trading ship there once
more. But be gave the Information he got IL, and
it was probably true But that IL reaching Port
andic the Arabs and men were not forthcoming In .
day or two might rely 1t that there neither
| faith nor truth in these people or their story.
Having com pleted nv business ut Bathurst sailed
for Portsndic, and anchored on the coast Thurs
day evening 25th July The next morning at early
hour despatched Acting Lieutenant j Higgins with
two boats, to endeavor TO open communication with
the Arabs, Lieutenant Higgins ran the coast down
from the Angel Hills to the vicinity Of Portan "a
not solitary inhabitant. and in fact, the only per-
sons who appeared were horde of several fishermen
He spent the day in fruitess inquiries and returned
| on board 81 night At an early hour the next day
| the same officer proceeded as at srst with
like succefs, and again on Sunday. The boats
anchored close to the shore in the little bay OF Por
| tandic, with flags flying aud now and then giving
trfing present OF tobacco, go to the only persons
who appeared to wit, the fishermen first seen. Save
these II there were any jewellers on the coast
came them.
wrote u ote addressed to the chief Moctar whose
Arabic name / copied from his autograph furnished
by Mr.. Lloyd and secured 1t to pole, and charged
the fishermen with the care OF It, which left on
the site OF Portsndc 1t was to the effect that ship
Of had been sent according to his request that
the ransom had been paid to Mr.. Lloyd, which he
(Moctar) could obtain when the men produced
that Senegal vas close by to take them there and
the certificate that they in Christian hands in
Senegal would be sufficient If the be in ca pti-
vity they can interpret the letter to the chief But
doubt the truth Of the whole story II true whe-
Their they will be given up. Senegal is only sixty or
seventy miles south of Portandic, and these people
in constant communication with the French colo
niss there. They could have been ed ough
this channel at any time, in captivity that is had
the design tually existed.
regret that efforts failed to procure any inor
nation, or throw any light on the subject
am, sir very respectfully, your obedent servant
(sgped) L. M POWELL,
Commander of u. 8. ship John Adams.
To the Hon the Secretary OF the Navy.