The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1857-12-24
psrtic uIars OF the Capture % the
Barque VIM. @. lewis. 81

\ s. f
The prize barque Vim. g. Lewis, arrived OF the
Naval Hospital, Norfolk, Sunday morning., %
days from Congo river, where she was seized
as prize by the sloopofwar Dale, on suspicion of
being engaged In the slave trade. Our corrsspen-
dent stNorfoik sends us the following narrativse
circumstances connected with ths capture:
NoEroLE, Dec 18th, 1ss7.
On lhs 10th November the sioopofwar Dass.
cruising off ths Congo river West coast Of Afiiea,
detached q boat expedition under command sef
Lieutenant Walker, who proceeded up said fiyef
about thirty miles. on Ponta Lima, they boexd-
cd the barqns Vim. G.. Lewis. and proceeded 70 ex-
amine her. On observing great number sf VA
ter casks, they enquired respecting the contents,
and were informed they were filled with salt wa
ter for ballast. On examination, however a num-
Der were found to contain slaves aud headings Of
casks. The master on being questioned about
them, said they were intended for palm oil casks.
Lieut. Walker then took charge of the barque and
brought her down the river. On the passage down,
the "launch' of the Dale, containing bowitzer,
tow of the barque.
Capt. McBlair who com nnanded the sIoop-of war
Dale, on receiving the report of L;eut. Walker or
dsred q committee of officers to inyestigakez1nd
exasuii'e the barrue, and It was then discovered
that her register imperfect. and did not au-
swar to the description Of son,s Of her men.
Though insured, she was, when captured. beyond
the limits OF her Insurance. as 1t was confined to
10 aud she WAS 80 miles up the river, thus forfeit
ng her insurance There was also on board pas
senger OF whom the papers gave no account, call
ing himself Miller. It observed by the Of
ficers Of the Dale, that theaCaptan Of the barque
paid great Difference to Miller, and 1t is supposed
he was interested In the vessel and her intended
cargo.
Her sailing orders were to proceed to Loango or
q market on the west coast of Africa She had
never been to Loango, but had come to Black
Point, near Loango and yet had not communicated
with that part of the coast She, however, touched
at habenda, and after lying ut that place few
days, proceeded to Ponta Lima, with no account of
having discharged cargo at Kabenda, and up to
the time of her seizure had not been to Loango.-
She was consigned to a Mr.. Costa Lima, known to
all the U. s. officers the coast as noted slave
agent.
The barque was then detained and her officers
and crew held as prisoners. Lieut.. Kenard, with
prize crew, were selected to bring the barqus into
this port She arrived Saturday, rs days from
Congo. and will be rendered to the e.. g. Marshall
upon his arrival from Richmond.
The officers who kindly rendered us the aLove
Information, speak of the Vim. @. Lewis as are
markable tine saler, and well adapted to the Rur-
pose OF which shs 10 suspected The casks
supposed to be intended for the water and food of
the negroes who ght have fallen into their hands
They report the officers and crew of the sloop-of
war Dale, all we'll, but speak with regret Of Quar-
ter Gunner Samuel Davis, who died the day before
they left.
Capt. Fredell, who commanded the baroue VIM.
IT, Lewis being absent on shore, parole of honor,
was represented by his 1st officer, MIR. Curtis, who
says:
Between and 10. P. NJ, Friday, November 9th,
we were boarded by LiertenaEtB Walker and Cum
mlngs, and boats crew OF seamen, all armed. The
barque had on at the time some little cargo not
yet discharged consisting of casks, shocks, sc. AZ
ter examing our vessel overhau,ing the papers, &C.
Lieut. walker made his appearance in the cabin,
and informed Captain Fredell that lie would take
charge of the barque to which Capt F. protested,
however informing him that he could do as he
pleased. The barque then cast off from the
bank, anchors hove up. got under way and proceed
ed down the Congo. Upon reaching the Dale Cap
tain Fredel was sent on board of that vessel and
detained all night, and relief guard sent from
the sloop to the barque. Next day the cargo was
broke out of the hold, the cabin searched and no
thing found to satisfy the detention of the baraue
'Sunday morning following, Captain Fredili re-
turned from the sioop-ofwar Dale, and by order OF
Captain McBair, was given charge of his papers
and vessel informing him that he could find moth
ing against the barque. All hands belonging TO
the sloop Dale then left. About noon the same
day, Lieutenant Davidson returned the papers
again, and proceeded with more minute examina-
tion, carrying with him when he left the log book
and papers of the barque, and leaving an officer aud
| five men on board. The Captain was permitted to
go mp town to settle his business before the haroue
tai.aI" rl-"-
While writing the above on board of the barque,
(Which was lying off Fort Norfolk, just below this
city, the Captain came on board and approved of
his mates statement-at the time of the capture.
all the crew were more or less sick, the most OF
| them confined to their hammocks. Tive were con-
yeyed to the u s. Hospital with the fever peculiar
to that climate, while We on board the re-
mainder being convalesent. Capt. Fredill is q
good looking, intelligent man, and seems perfectly
| ut case. under the circumstances. His mate also
has some pretensions to good looks and intelii-
geuce, but those of his crew whom we saw were a
hard looking set, who could execute any thing
that a superior mind might command They
number fourteen, including the Captain aud mate