New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-06-27
THE NEW-YORK SLAVE TRADE.
SEIZURE AND CONDENSATION THE
GENERAL PIERCE.

GENERAL PIERCE.
District Attorney McKeOn has received the fol.
lowing communication from the Secretary Of State
at Washington:
UNITED STATES COMMERCIAL AcEscr,
LoASDA, Monday, March 3, 1856. {
SIR: On the 18th utmo the Portuguese brig Of war
Sierra do Pillar, uLder c,mmand of Capt j. NJ DIS.
Rodoralho, captured as prize an unknown brig, of
Old Benguela. The following are the particulars of
this circumstance, which becomes me to communicate
to you for your intelligence.
TIE brig-ofwar above mentioned on the morning Of
the above capture, esped sail close under the land.
The Seua do Pillar Immediately stood for her, but
very after the land breeze failed them and both
were becalmed. About two hours sferwar strong
breeze sprung up; the chase then common ced with
vigOr to the southwark.
The suspicious brig then hoisted American colors.
The Portuguese brig-Ofwar proving faster sailing
vessel in three hOurs and half close aboard Of
her; al this period the brig showing American colors
kept off, and those on board apparently tried TO
the vessel shore but did succeed as the Sierra
DO Pillar cpt her off, and sent boat board of her in
con mand of lieutenant. This officer wished to see
the papers Of the ves to prove her nationality az the
said vessel within the boundary lines of the POrtu
guese posse ssors The of the vessel said they
bad DO papers. With this information the lieutenant
returned to the Sierra co Pillar, and in company with
Captain RodoIalbo and small force boarded the sus
picous vessel. Captain Rodorsho made the san de-
mand TO the pspers, but with no further success
He then ordered the vessels hold TO be examined and
found slsvedeck and every other preparation m,de
to receive q cargo of saves. He then asked under
what auth ofy they maintained the American flag still
bosied explanation was given, but shortly after
ward it was lowered, and Portuguese flag hoisted in
its place. at which Captain RodOraho pronounced her
his prize and proceeded with her TO this port where
they arrived 1T noon on the 2lst ult.
On the 23d ultimo, the Prize Court was assembled
for the purpose to prove whether she was a lawful
th1 thpl snnrf Qman
sion, when had the opportunity of being present, IN
company with Sir George jackson, ii. X MS Con-
missioner One Of the crew. a Brizlisn by birth, was
brought to the stand and after going through the
usual oaths, "to ray nothing but the TRUTH he said
in aDswer to number Of questions put to him by the
President of that body that he and his shpmacs were
DULY shipped at New-York TO go on a voyage to sea,
ana suppose that it was to be egi one, by Oae
Of the Shipping masters of that city, aud that he, in
company witt others, embarked on board of ste amer
and procee ded down the harbOr and put board
of the Yes which LAID there at anchor SHORTLY alter
ward three other persons came ON board, when they
weighed anchor and put tn sea- those three pereohs
proved to be the Captain mate and one passenger.
He further said that the Captan's name was va. LON
we're ordered down to work in the hold, TO oui'd .
slave Geek and then for the first time they discovered
the nature of their voyage In answer TO qaeSt9a
i, be knew the owners of the vessel he said
he did not but supposed from what he had heard thit
sbe belonged to company of Portuguese residing al
New.Yo,k and who are the owners OF many other
made 10 receive q full cargo of slaves. Only once
during the passage they had an occasion to hoist
fsg, and then the American nag was made use O.
They srrived Oh this coast, at the place previously
described on the 18th ultimO and on the following
morning sail was discovered seaward. which proved
10 be the Portuguese brig Sierra do Pillar No one
knew ON board of the vessel whether she left New
York with or without her papers. Inc
stated that drng the passage her name was
from Der stern He did not know her name ror any vi
fer crew, in consequence Of none Of them knowiag
how 10 re al or write, and not being familiar win Tue
III glsh language. He said that curing tue Voyaee
sL. was called the Star of New York, but 1t was not
her RIGHT name He said he heard her real name was
Central P,queno, and 1t is my OPINION the WINES ws
COMPOUNDED General Pequeno with Gcheral rieios,
n vessel that has been suspected before az h'o NC
J.ns;ro. under the command of Jacintho Denzanz,
IN well known slave deaer) who was susPec,eu
Of plsnnirg further slave trade expeditioh anu
brother to this Bento Denzans; Al or 1eD ~
Jacksons office, l saw a correspondence between al.
Henry T. Howard, the Engsh Minister al no ue
JaneiIo and Mr.. Antonio Pauline Sinpo Ao1en'
Minster of Foreign Affairs of Brazil, dated Aprl ~
1854 whel,i in the latter informs the 10 mer tha Don
R.n;o Drpzarz in either the Guerra or Frizano, Two
Save yessels bad shipped cargo OF slave, AZ Novo
Rdondo and rat the said Don Benlto had long oeen
engaged in the slave trade. His brother, Jacln no
DenEspz, was strongly rspec'ed as nSae 80 Man.
nipy A slave expedition on board OF the American
big General Pierce, of which he was the owner aua
at that period it was the general opinion .oS' W..
Howard comrnuri cated this suspicion to MIR. rroas
dale then L. s. Minister at Brazil, who inme iia'e'y
informed the commander of United states shipe VI
war. for their guidance. Commodore Salter, co n
msndipe United State. Squadron received an oher
from ADMIRAL Hendes son OF the British squadron 10
plse- at bis disposal the steam vessel Hhem 40, -
ns,t or cooperate with any United states cruiser No
mi.b detacb, TO watch the General Pierce. Cemno
d,re Salte, wishing to Illustrate any design ., uen'
nm accepted TIE cooperation OF Admrs hsn1efsn
The q. neral Pierce it thus seems was then Tue SUI
i,ct OF much attention at Rio de Janeiro' py tue
American, Epslsh and Brazilian officials: Aao'neI
noint which makes strongly suspect this veise. 70
no the Gepsra Pierce, IL, that she answers 70 tie ~
,r,tiop given of her, viz: That she iuu-ngseI
rio nj about two hundred tuDs measurement, auI
RAJ he was at NewYork about the time this vessei
10 re,o,sed to have left there. =,
m. pie Cost assembled again on the s,ta III,
ard fny copd, unsd her legal pnze t. the sea 90
pijsr snd her crew continued to remain IN an
IN tle,r trial IN the judicial court should take
.b;rb unt eYstand will be ss soon Us convenient.
40 no. tbiuk there are, from appearances 90! rue
Americans amopg her crew. for II there hsd oeen uu
donh.edly they would have applied for pr0ecio as
thew have had abundant opportunity Tor 20 ao.ns
Should they apply, every exertion OF this
seency Will be used for tn sir protection r. Til.
Tru,;ps you viii fpd this suitable to yosf 'eqae' " ~
rno,ni,s remain your most obcdiens nense,,i -.
tSrhep A ting T. s Cou nerrisl Agent
& Sc LEAFS.