The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-05-09
The Alleged Slave Ship Merchant.
yNnBo erATEs CoMMIsslONRR's COURr.
Gao. NJ

Before Geo W. Natn, ESQ.,
TESTIMONY or CAPT. vAUNCE AND UNITED STATES
M,KsRAL RyNDkKs.
MAY s-Tns Caited Sats Josss asd Wells OuJs0in
cad Mate # he ship h1cAaxd-John Faance, Captain d
the Unis States cutter Washington being called
and examined deposed that the I'D Of April he seized
tho Merchant he having received from Marshal Rynders
wa,rap, deaiu that vessel she intended leave the
port of New York. 1t was understood that she 70 sa
that night; steamer alongside tho cnstsr, and
and two officers 70 keep watch of the Mer
chant all night; about seven The next morning The MGR
chsn out Of her dock and proceeded down he bay
followed IN about half hour; overlook her between
the middle and west bank, passed her and outside
the Hook after the steamer Brkbeck which was towing
the Merchant out, had et her about miles outie
sandy Hook four miles south Of the scboon
er, further out; the men observed An0aher
ing down aid making for the schooner she, however,
cd the schnner and kept along shore seeing aher
essel IN Eight gave orders 70 make for The scboope'
when wilhsn mile and o half u her we discover.
ed sIother boat coming down. orders were then
given 10 run OF 10 the right Of n largo chip which
lsn outside he steamer coming down mao for tho
,ohoner Merchant and her reaching her she rounded
jn,e; she took from the Merchant and com
Dsnced ing her rnst southeast we hay still until she
had ga such distance oil thai could only her hail.
Then gave orders pursue her; when fteen
twrhty nnus TIT captain Of the schooner discovered
ming and csst III from the steamer; think had
miles al this time; the was steering north
T. thinking Ina, there must be something on DO rd Of
tbe Steamer Art gave orders 10 put 90 board The
schooner and then toh lieutenant take
and anr the steamer BIZ kbtck which had jns vi
Il on the Merchant; this done; then hal the Mer
cham, taken in tow and hauled her alongside my outer in
Bu,ie'mk Channel; the Birkbeck also brought 20
The same placer Ca tam Jooes, present. rep enIed
himself captain Of the schoooer, and handed
Iarers bearing his name n caisan think the cro9 mum
bered about eight or ten and none OF them believe were
AmrIcsps the Merchant bnrihen noticed
c Of Africa charts aboard Of her, did any
thing ib own overb' ard from the schooner.
On M 81
whether bis name IN the back OF the Marsbas war
rnut deputy; but the Mar hal told him Il was he had
DO warrant 10 search the steamer hrbeck the first bail
gave 10 tie Merchant 70 pu, her helm down ooih
DO, say that he aid, but think he obeyed tho order;
seizfd Der any time afler she left her Dock If we had
sar-S she did could have caught her jst or
Governors kanh The hrsi steamer fSirbeck No b took
The schooner nom tho wharf; did not aboard he ar
beck until she got along side my cutter asked Captain
Jo es for bis papers, and be gave tnem 70 me- lgave
them 10 The United Suites Narshs remained on board
the Merchant until she go. up " my cutter and until all
persons found board the schooner transferred 70
my boat did moi transfer any goods from the Merchant,
there was nothing taken out while in charge
derstood the Marshal came and go. the clothing OF tho
sailors Captain Jones and the oher persons fount on
charge ny The Alanhal; the wind 8ss very gh, that
day almost calm; there was a strong ebb lde hsd no
waraDtfor the ares, Of the captain or crew.
The United States harshal Isash RypdeF, then
ambed and delosed, 81 ths time watching tho aer.
chant she war ng-Ai PER No 4s Ehsi river tho com
long time and ssrnsd ,hs, she was gong 70 sea- on tho
bigbi Of the I'D April, a o'clock went 90 boa,d Of
ng at the end Of the DOCK and they told they
making preparations 70 60 out she did not 90 until
The next morning was DOB present at the time Of tho
SEIZURE but waiting for The return Of the prize the
fonr board the seamtug Brkbrck Understand,
for The Merchant; examining the Brkbeck found
one Of the men slowed away IN . brit, behind black
rul arrested him, when he stated he going out
pas epger he said be go bis cke,from Berro. whom
be pointed out most Of thO-e arrested told they
going 10 Africa but ~ond n Tell their business
gave orders to ch the Brkbeck, bot done
once Roi Jacket went aboard and d II mvsrlf found
below ~o large water casks In one OF which there
large bGle looking into the the lsrbosrd side
saw rspt sitting with his feet in the that In
the bctom Of ihe caSk told HIN 70 get ont and he did
80; be sato he going ort, but old wish be taken
liked Captain Jones about his business, when be stated
that be did neither know The Of the schooner
" Ia, he going for he stated that MI Scovsr
engaged bin 70 co. he could NOT say that che
signed 10 my paree; did not know what trade abe
be engaged IN. and somewhat satonlshed hear
Ing sbc " be used rs SLAYER be rsd he did MOI
think she go Dg saving until be got outside he
was under arre,t a. that time; did not ak much with
Mi,k-he appeared dow ncasI
Nothing material elected the nation,
and The case ~S adjourned 70 Monday next