The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-07-24

Tne Brig Flora Slave Case Exploded.
A LIVE AFRICAN NEARLY FRIGHTENED TO DKATH-
GRAND Hunt, ESCAPE AND CAPrURB-fHB UNITED
erATKs 0RFlcHRs DISCOVER A MARES NEsr-5Ei-
zURE AND DISCHARGE OF TIE BRI0 ON CHARGE
OF SLAVE TRADING, ETC.
Considerable excitement occasioued at the Atlantic
Dock Brooklyn, on Tuesday, the Isb inst noticed IN
the Herald of the following day, sccount Of fuuor
that the captain Of the brig Flora Of Newcastle, Maine
just arrived, had brosgat with him an African slaye Il
appeared that when the vesse hauled into the Atlantic
deck, large crowd collected view the antics OF msu
key which was froicing among the rigging native
African named John Davis one Of the crew, Was pasy
scrubbing the deck and being black e and having
his wrists curiousy wrought armiets made Of
ivory he room attracted the attention OF toe crowd Snd
became the subject OF their sxrt. The poor fellow
not being sole to speak nderttand much OF the
English language and having been threatened by the
sailors with being boiled Up and eaten by the Americana
became exceedingly frgntensd and thought his time mad
Determined, however, TO evade his pursuers he
for the forecaste, and after stripping Off oil his cloth
ing sprang for the rigging, by Of which he soou
with agility even SURPRISING That Of the monkey, ran
up TO the foreroyal yarda slender by the way aud
hardly stout enough 70 bear his weight The excitement
OF the crowd became intense, and soon rumor became
prevalent to the effect that reward OF $40 would be
given for securing him. The continued booing and
policemen which had been sent for by the mate were
able 70 keep them back. the ship warped cu, from
the Dock but in spite Of the mate the crowd board
and endeavored to take him from the rigging. He was,
however, too spry for hem and sprAng from rope to rope
and yard TO yard with the ssintg Of monkey and fuay
ashed upon the topgaapt yard and de6ed his pursue
They then descended and by dnt OF pulling and jerking
the braces finally shook the fellow Off, and be dropped
into The water just miasng the rail- which he hsd struck
he would have been dead he was, after experty
avoiding them for time by diving and swimming,
rescued by boaimen and taken TO the United
States revenue cutter Washington, Capt Faunce He
received board by Lieut. Kellum, who protected him
from mob. expressed the utmost alarm and fear
that he shord be caotured and several times he
fearco they going 10 take him Ashore dayted the
rigging where he instantly stripped off his clothes ard
only brought back by motions to FIRE The poor
fellow could not speak any inelhgibe EngLsb but kept
pointing bis forehead and teeth, and geacnlane with
cured whsn found that he coali speak the African
tongue Capt Faunce account Of his wild indifference
and fear the peculiar circumstances OF his coming
board, &C. cenclu led To inform the authorities and have
the investigated The United states Dsr Attorney
noded and by the aid OF prefer the following
affidavit Wac prepared
negro of Africa, being duly sworn saysThA he belongs
to Bambagar thai Mr.. j. Yates, pain or the brig
s1 eSn s II ne Of % ~ aS resi-
weeks ago. after the passage the act of Congress April
co. 1875 such made and provided take board aud
transport in the said brig Flora this deponent, being
negro from RIsmbsssr the Of Africa, the
purpoe Of holding this deponent TO service and labor
amt or held 70 service by The sws Of ether Of The states
ov Territories Of the United States.
Sworn before me, July 20, 1867. GEo W. KoRREI,
United States Commissioner.
How rauch tho poor African rnt Of this would
rot be a matter oil much doubt 70 any who him.
for no distinct could be got from him.
the simplest questions OF the Interpreter 10 took him q
long time TO He was, however, understood TO
~ Bbiled a. SLAYER by he un,eo Sa.ss authorities,
the African in the meanwhile remaining In charge Of
Yeserdsy an examination Of the case was had before
United Stated q commissioner Mcrrel, at the once % the
United States District Attorney Assistant United sasss
Judge Bcebe app aTed for the defsocs INC ,ocv follow
did not ow what the affair all about, and expressed
tee greatest fear h., they were all goias TO cut his
O'Clock, but nearly twelve before began. The
Interpreter, Mr. Pcverel Narr, intelligent ooored man.
was duly sworn 10 truly interpret ali questions.
Judge Beebe then questioned the witness and com
plainant 10 hin religion. He answered that
bad informed nm when 'ney we're pi Alone nov he
went his Knees TO pray He expressed h desire 10 be
the Bible. ant when the oath interpreted TO
him, took the book aud licked all over ut the time
ut,erng some queer sounds and mouoniug with his hand
his hrort which Interpreted TO that
would be cboked have his throat cut, he did not tell
the truth The examination then proceeded With
follows, Mr. Smith Asking the questions through the inter
prefer
o What your namef John Giap DAVIS
Q Where were you b'rn' A. Dssos. tDsx Cove, 90
the vert OF Africa)
O. 10 that OF the coast OF Africa2
Judge Beebe--oh, we VIII admit that, TO tine
q Ask him Il he knows the brig g1orG he says yes.
Y Where did he zee the brig Flora nrsp A. In DIX
O How long agos
The oArtsn-we admit that he came on board on the
Judge Receive VIII admit that he csme 10 New York
IN the brig, and the ships articles fled 10 the Custom
House have biz name on them and he paid hospital mo
ASSISTANT District Aaorney-we do no, ADM. tina, ho
signed them.
O. Ask him how he came on boardf
Judge Boeoe-Dont you tell him how he came on board
The Interpreted DO not He says he sailed In the
o. Ask him how he came on boardf A. He ssys he
went on board 81 Dix Cove, and sailed from there
o AK him who took him on board He ss0s be
lodge Bseee-fou said all that; he only said oDon
The lnierpreier-l did not; he says himself what tell
Q Ask him II he ever shsped on board the vessel, A.
he nys he went on board 70 work. and WAS carried or
q AK him n he ever shipped board that vessel In
any way A. He says he do not
O. Ask him IL he agreed 70 70 the ship In any wayf
A. lie says that be did not make any agreement that the
capssn Vas TO give him money, and showed him =
paper, which he put IN bis pocka the captain wrote on
O Ask him why he did not 60 on shore when the ves
sci went 10 sea- A. The captain sad he would give him
money suds house whsn he 90. to New York, and
would send him back TO Dix C.ve In two months.
O. Ask him why be did not 10 shore whom the ship
went 10 sar A. he says he DID no, get bis money.
Q Ask him whether ne ever confined board The
sbip'
judge Beebc objecied-rhe witness mad sworn TO the
contract
witness-Yo the cspitane, 10 give moueehe pay four
doll one (rhe captain says be was 10 pay him four
dollars q month
O Ask himH be had liberty 10 20 ashore q, DIX covs'
A. He says yes.
O. Ask him he worked on the vessel all the timer
A. He says yes very much, until he 10 New York
wltness-Gestcuistpe- rope, pump, much work
q. Ask him he ever worked . ship before. A.
Yes, he sslled TO liverpool
O. AsL him whether he ever saw that paper.
The shipping art ,es contalnnirg the Of the wit
ness were shown, And opposite his ecoru OF
tslsry Of u per month 70 be paid 70 him. The witness
said BY signs and words hs, be had been two months vi
the captain who Vas 70 pay him ~ per month. the cap
tain bad showed him that paper At DIX Cove.
Jo,eph ". Yates Of the consisnees Of the Flors
swonshe has been In the African trade about fourteen