Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1855-06-02
Capture of Baker.

The Grapeshot arrived on Tuesday evening,
having on board the fugitive Baker. As soon
as the intelligence was made known of the At
rival of the Grapeshot, there was considerable
anxiety and excitement as to whether Baker
was on board or not. The rumors were so
contradictory that many did not believe the
news till very late in the evening.
The Grapeshot left the port Of New York
for Palmas, Canary Islands, March 18Th, and
arrived at her destination April 7th. She lay
in the harbor Of Palmas till the 18th, ten days,
expecting to intercept the Isabella Jewett be-
fore she had time to land the fugitive. About
twelve o'clock the same night she stood out to
sea, and at half past eight o'clock the next
morning the Isabella Jewett was seen and
boarded. We now give the account OF the
scene as related by an eye witness.
Baker was seen at the wheel from our ship
before we got into our boat. And before we
boarded the brig he left the wheel and went in
to the cabin, not having the least suspicion who
we were and intending to leave by the first op.
portunity that offered itself, He took all the
money he possessed, being 800 in gold, and
put it 10 the fob -pockst Of his pantaloons. lie
came on deck again and went forward to look
at us. We boarded the Jewett about midships;
jumped on deck, (the Captain standing in the
waist) One of our number being selected by
US as spokesman, he asked
"Are you the Captain!'
He replied "Yes."
We said, Lewis Baker is on board of your
vessel, and we want him"
"Lewis Baker" replied the Captain, "there
is no such man."
At this moment Baker, who was watching
the whole proceedings, came from forward and
started for the cabin, we having our eyes upon
him, and we intercepted his retreat, said "How
are you, Lew" and stretched out our hands to
shake hands with him; at the same moment we
arm, another by the wrist, another by the shout
der, &c., and forced him on his back over the
gunwales of the boat that was on deck, and so
put the irons on him, he protesting and making
all the resistance he was able, calling out "vVhat
does this meant" "What is this fort" "What
do you want Of mel" We told him that he
must 20 with ~. He said he would not and
We could not take him -halloing out, Soap.
tain, Captain, these are a sci Of pirates, and have
come. to take me-" Then, appealing to the
men of the brig, "Men will you let them take
me-" Two men belonging to the brig said that
We should not take him.
The Captain interfered. and said to Us.
"Here; you are to fast! What is this all abouts'
Baker said, "They ave a set of pirates and they
want to take mo-" One Of rs said, Il will blow
the first mans brains out that interferes," aud
presented a pistol. The Captain said some-
thing that | could not distinctly hear. when one
of US loudly remarked: "If he interfered, that
we would take him also" Baker was strug.
Cling and saying, "Lst me 60 into the cabin;
you are here with pistols; you have the advsn.
tage of me; | have got nothing to defend n.y.
self with; | will not go until | see the Captain
the Port" He recognized the most Of US,
and called us by name; saying, "Do you get
paid for taking mel and begged of us to let
90 into the cabin and he would 90 with Us.
this time we inquired for his trunk and
two Of us went into the cabin and
brought them on deck midship; finding al re-
sis,ance in vain, and being assured he must 60
dead or alive, and that the easiest way was the
best way. he asked for his things in the cabin,
and gave directions where they could be found.
found his box containing Colts revolver. |
each barrel heavily loaded and capped, with
the key in the box, and box unlocked; with
flask ofpowder, caps and ball. We took charge |
all, put them into the bnat with him, brought |
on board Of the Grapeshot, made all sail, |
snd stood for homo. az
The time did not occupy over 10 or Is min.
utes from the time we leh the bark until we re-
with him. Baker had no idea that we
sent after him and thought that thew were |
or thattsse wanted to put a pilot on
board He had on a hickory stripe shirt and
in his shirt sleeves; wore also q cap. He
ueOoN m vvot0h 1trtnr thn vaaooDn h,,t ,,,.a l
on the briggs papers BY the name of William
brig it was explained to the Captain of the
what the arrest was for. He appeared
10 be thunder stricken, and much frightened;
said he knew nothing about it; "Wnl they do
with mel" ..r49gl II
Bakers first inquiry when he got on board
Of the Grapeshot, was "Is Poole dead! | heard
he was; tell me, you would not come after mi
he was not" 1s
We told him he was. He said he was sor-
y for his wife and child, and wished many a
lime when he was laying in his bunk on the
that it had been him, az he was alone,
and had no one to provide for; that it was easy
10 get into a muss but hard to get out found
! great deal of fault with the testimony given
the investigation. His intention was not
10 stay long on the Islands, but, the first ops
portuuity, he had intended to leave for Con.
,tantinople, and take part in the war. For the
day or two, he was very sad, but finally
became more composed and rsconciled,-con.
srsed, talking freely with ~ all. We prepar.
one Of the best state rooms in the cabin for
and made him comfortable 40 circnm-
would admit. His irons were taken
Oh and he had the, freedom of the ;ship,-we
keeping 3 strict guard on all his movements.
Poor Doy,s College. fas9s st
The Printing O6ce has indeed proved . bet