The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1850-11-14

The Republic publishes the following re-
port Of Commander l.. NJ Powell to the
Navy Department relative TO American sea-
men said to he in captivity among the Arabs
on the West coast Of AfrIca:-
u. S. SHIr JOHN ADAMS,
Madeira, Aug, %, 1850.
Sir have the honor to report that. in
sbedience To the Instructions of Commodore
Gregory, sailed on the 10th of July last
from Porte Praya for the Gambia, in order
to communicate with Richard Lloyd, Esq,
who had kindly given the Commodore in
formation relative to several American sea-
men said TO be-held 10y the Trassart Arabs,
near Portandic, for ransom. The sum de-
manded, as Mr.. Lloyd Informed me, was
not less than $500, and 81 900 if he could
get it.
On my arrival at Bathurst, entered into
arrangements with Mr.. Lloyd, paid him
$500 in hand, and gave him to understand
that when the men delivered. if they
had been well treated, should ray to him
the remainder, to wit, $500 for the ransom
in full.
MIR. Lloyd informed me that he doubted
much the truth Of the story tpld by the
MOOrs, who gave the information and who
were intent on re-qpenng the extinct trade
of Portandic, aud may have. resorted to this
pretext for getting atradiug ship there once
fmore. But he gave the inflammation as he
got it, and it .was probably true. But that
! if on reaching Portandic, the Arabs and men
were not forthcoming ina day or two, |
might rely on it that there was neither GRfth
nOr truth in these people df their STORY.
Having completed my business at Bath
urst, sailed for Portandic, and anchored
on the coast, ou'ThursdRy evening, 25th
July. The next morning,at an early hour,
| despatched Acting Lieutenant J. Higgins
with two boats, to endeavor to open conak
munication with the Arabs. Lieutenant
Higgins ran the coast down from the Angel
Hills to the vicinity Of Portandic--a range
, of some twenty miles of coast. PortatNIic
has not solitary inhaLitant, and in fact, the
only persons who appeared we're horde Of
several fisherman, (four or fve), some o.J
whom swan off to the boats. He spent The
day in fruitless inquiries, and returned on
board at night. Atan early hour the next
day, the same officer proceeded as at first,
with like success, ard again on Sunday
! The boats were anchored close to the shore
in the little bay Of Portandic, with flags fly
ing, and now and then giving tri1ng
present of tobacco, Sc. 10 The only persons
who appeared, TO wit, the fishermen first
seen. Save these, if there were any dwell
lers on the coast, none came near them.
| wrote a note, addressed to the chief,
Moctar, whose Arabic name copied from
his autograph, furnished by Mr.. Lloyd, and
secured it to pole, and charged the fisher
men with the care of it, which was left on
the sight of Portandic. 1t was to the effect
that ship of war had been sent according
to his request; that the ransom had been TO
Mr.. Lloyd, which he M Moctar) could obtain
when the men were pi oduced; that Senegal
was close by-to take them there; and the
certificate that they were in Christian hands
IN Senegal would be sufficient. If the men
he in captivity, they can interpret the letter
to the chief. But doubt the truth of the
whole story; or, if true, whether they will
be given up. Senegal is only sixty or sew
enty miles south of Portandic, and these peo-
pie are in constant communication with the
French colonists there. They could have
been ransomed through this channel. at any
time, if in captivity; that is. had the design
actually existed.
| regret that our efforts failed to procure
any information, or throw any light on the
subject.
! am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient
servant, (Signed) l.. M. POWELL.
Commander of U. S. ship John Adams.
To the Hon. the Secretary Of the Navy.