Weekly hawk-eye and telegraph. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1855-1857, 1856-03-26

A SLAVE TRADER AND HER Crew CAPTURED
THE EXTENT OF THE BUSINESS IN NEW YORK.
For some time back the attention of the Dis
trict Attorney McKeon, of New York, has been
directed to the schooner Falmouth, of Baltimore,
lying in that port, on suspicion that she was in
preparation for save-trading trip to the coast
Of Africa. On Monday afternoon she started
from her moorings and was taken in tow BY a
steam-tug for the Narrows. We quote from the
Tribune:
Mr.. McKeon Immediately authorized his Dep
uties to charter stcam.tug, and to procure
such assistance from the Navy Yard as might be
necessary. Commodore Bigeiow was aroused at
midnight, and on being informed of the nature of
the case, promptly placed file of marines under
command of Capt. Morgan at the service of the
Marshals. The steam-tug Only Son, which had
been chartered for the expedition, was brought
up to the wharf, and the marines were sent on
board and slowed below. Commodore Bigelow
then ordered steam to be got up on the U. S.
propeller Dispatch, and the Marshals requested
him to dispatch her to their assistance in one
hour after the SLAYER passed down. The Only
Son soon after sped down the Bay and laid to
under the shadow of Fort Diamond, awaiting the
approach of the Ajax, with the Falmouth in tow.
A long and weary time elapsed before she made
her appearance; indeed, the officers had begun
to fear that they had lost their prize, when, just
as day was breaking she came past, and the Only
Son shot out in pursuit. A few seconds sufficed
to place her along side, and before she grazed
her hull her captors were on deck. The Por-
tuguese made rush aft to the cabin, but the
boarders were there before them and secured the
doors. The crew of the schooner were ordered
to surrender; which they did, probably out of
respect to the muskets of the marines, but with
very poor grace indeed. Meanwhile, the Ajax
was making desperate efforts to tow her to sea,
when one of the marines took an axe and cut the
hawsers, upon which the tug turned tail, and
put off toward the city with all possible speed.
After securing what papers they could find,
the captors returned with their prize in tow to
the Navy Yard. There she was left in charge of
Mr.. Nevins and Capt Morgan, while Mr.. Dc
Angels went on shore for the purpose of taking
the necessary steps to arrest the crew snd libel
the vessel Messrs. McKeon and Joachimson
went on board in the course Of yesterday morn
ing and examined the people belonging to her
Twelve Portuguese were found and arrested, and
all being handcufed, were conducted to the
Kings County prison.
On searching the cabin other papers were
found and taken possession Of An excellent
set of charts of the West Indies, Brazil, Cuba
and the west coast of Africa were also found
But no ships papers could be found, and all of
the crew denied having signed any.
The schooner is rakish craft of $50 tons,
painted black, with a red fillet around the base
Of her bulwarks. She is fitted up with all of the
appliances of a regular SLAYER, and in her hold,
which runs fore-and aft, could stow 500 or 900
negroes. A large quantity of rice, beans and
pilot bread was on board. Her hold was slowed
full of casks of water, firewood and lumber for a
slave deck. Two immense coppeIs were also on
board, together with number of spoons and
dishes. The medicine chest, from Milhau's was
stored with lint and castor oil enough for an
army. 1t is said that $4,000 in gold, for the
purchase her slave cargo, is on board. At
any rate she will prove rich prize. If condemn
ed, her captors will receive one-half of her value.
We learn from good authority that no less
than thirty vessels are fitted out at this port for
the African slave-trade every year. This fact is
we'll known to all the authorities of the United
States, who do all in their power to break up the
ubiquitous traffic. But in spite of their vigilance,
and regardless of the rigorous laws which have
been enacted for its extinction, the business is
still carried on here, end that, too in some cases,
by persons who, from their position in society,
would be least suspected ofengaging in it. In
fact, it is so lucrative that those who pursue it
are ready to run every risk for its enormous
lofts. The immediate agents engaged in it are
p Portuguese and Spaniards who have long
n nlv! ;. and whose experience and cunning
.onos W. ~, them to escape from the conse-
100 often enao:e 1t is exceedingly diff.
quenees Oh .n.i. CRIME Their vessel may be
ea.' ~ oo.I s.. ;ese h .n ching her moth
ing can be found to criminate those nau ne.
in charge, and yet there may be no moran o"1 :.
of their culpabiity. Formerly these vesse..
took out weapons to overawe the blacks as well
as to fight off intruders they were also wont to
carry shacklcs enough to secure as many slaves
as they could carry. Now they depend upon
their speed to elude cruisers and instead of bind
ing their living cargo, they simply carry key
or two of sharp carpet-tacks; and, if tie slaves
become FESTIVE, handful or two of these
sprinkled among them soon reduce them
to submission. The slaves being naked and
closely packed, cannot make any movement
against their captors without being subjected to
the most excruciating pain-every step which
they take forcing the sharp points of the nails
into their bare feet They also stow the coppers
away; and if boarded by cruiser before the
the appearance of legitimate trader A few
scattered bricks might perhaps be found, as vel:
as barrel of lime on aclose scrutiny but the
former might easily pass for ballast, and if any
body should be inquisitve enough to ask the use
of the latter, why, it would be the easiest matter
in the world TO convince him that it was requir-
ed to purify the ship. Once on the slave coast,
however, and the slaves on board, bricks and
mortar would serve just as well to fit up the cop
pcrs for cooking their food. Such are few Of
the modern improvements.
The profits accruing from a successful run to
and from the west coast Of Africa, are 80 great
that the captain generally hides all traces Of his
crime. Immediately after landing his cargo, BY
either setting on fire or scuttling his vessel. In
this way steady market has been established
for light swiftssiling schooners and brigs, which
are built ''for one voyage only" At present
the most difficult part which SLAYER has to play
is to obtain his clearance To clear the Custom
House he must show that his voyage is Lawful
one Here he is liable to suspicion and, it MAJ
be, arrest and forfeiture. Hence, we find tina
the practice Of leaving port without efiecting ,
clearance is becoming frequent
A gentleman who was born in Detroit, an,
is now - years Of age, informs the Monroe Com
! mercial that the winter Of 1919 was colder thai
| the present The ice in the lake was three fee
thick, and closed up some Of the harbors ii
| Nay. Ten years previous to that time the wiz
ror -ss sf;l colder ind rno v;ueo. h. ra<all..s,