Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1856-12-13


Iu.uccessfnl search for Lost Treasures
a slave Vessel Destroyed of Cape Code
son nfSD in specfe Sunk At South Snlem--
noston and Salem Expedition for its RE-
covery.~Treasure not FOund--Arrest OF
slave Traders, NC.
An affair which, in some respects, resem- |
bles the celebrated expedition several years ago
from the Charleslown State Prison, headed
by the Warden, To recover treasure which
missioner declared to him had been buried on
Cape Cod, occurred in this city day or two
sipcc. The sequel of the Charleslown exped-
tcn. il will be remembered, was, that the War.
Jen and his associate, worthy Constable Of
e.. were suddenly cast into the hole which they
had "iiggsJ,' while tho prisoner took 10 his
heels.
The particulars OF the last hnnt for lost trea-
sure, So far as they have come to light, are as
follows; A shor, timo ago, a middle-ased
Spaniard, named Joaquin Negret, called upon
a well known cigar dealer Of the city, nam
ed De Mena, and stated that he had been with
in short time in command Of slave vessel !;
that he had destroyed his vessel in the vicinity
OF Cape Cod and had proceeded in his boat to
secluded cove (Pickerings) at South Salem,
where he had sunk casks Of specie to the amount
Of about 800 900, and then landed.
lie asked for aid to recover this treasure,
and his story was so plausible that an expedi-
tion, perfect in every respect, was organized IN
this city, and accompanied, it is said, by Bos-
ton police officer, proceeded to the spot pointed
out
K appears that in some way the Salem po'
lice became partners in the af.ir. Ono account
is that their mysterious proceedings in a house
near Pickering's Cove attracted auenlion, and
that notice was sen, 10 the officers at salem
when their wagon was searched, and was found
to contain stroRg fishing lines, an instrument
for boring empty valises, and pair oflndi'
rubber boots. Some thought they were bur
glars, but, aller overcoming all obstacles, the,
proceeded 10 test the truth Of the story by
search for the specie.
They raked the bottom in every direction bu
no kegs were found, or any trace Of a lost tres
sure, and to the disappointed inquiries Of III
searchers, Negret simply remarked that some
body had been there before them.
Inquiries were now made as TO the name {
this unknown Spaniard. 1t was known thu
Henrico De Costa, who had been indicted f
fitting out the brig Braman, formerly Of Salem
as a slave dealer, had recently escaped fro
New York, aud some said that the unknow
one was The fugitive.
Upon this he was arrested and taken to 81
lem, where U. S. Marshal Freeman elaine
him aud brought him 10 this city. lie wi
here charged with being concerned in the sla'
trade, and was bailed by De Mena in the gu
OF $4,000, who afterwards, however, gave hi
up TO the officers.
Negret then ,urned round and charged L
Mena with being his accomplice in the sla'
trade, upon which warrant was issued, !
was arrested and taken before u. $. Commi
soner Woodbury., who held him 10 the sum
$4,000 for examination on Monday mex
Some Of our leading merchants immediate
became bail for De Mcna, and he was set
liberty.
Officers from New York state tina, Negret
not the fugitive De Costa. The former h
been seen about the city for some time pa,
but is not recognized by any Of the Police
this city.
Some are disposed to hiuk that there W
truth in the story of buried treasure, viii
they think may have been carried off by sol
of his accomplices, while he was getting rea'
TO reclaim it; but the opinion Of the major
is that the story has no basis in truth, Negi
not being consistent in his stories in regard
The matter. He has wild look about
eyes, and may be slightly deranged on this 81
ject.