New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-07-08
THE PANCHITA SEIZED ON THE COAST
As A SLAVE
HER RETURN IN CHARGE OF BRITISH
OFFICERS.


this port for an African voyage, was seized by the
authorities as SLAYER. Judge Bette, regarding the
proof against her as insufficient, dismissed the
Yesterday the same vessel arrived in port, having
been seized in the River Congo by British officers as
SLAYER, and sent here in their charge. When found
we understand, she was replee with every requisite
for the reception of her human cargo, which, it was
supposed, would soon have been taken on board.
The seizure was made by Capt Mcrsley Of the brig
Ssppho. on the 9th of May last, who sent
her in charge Of Lieut.. Odedsene, Lieut. Ire.
land. and twelve men, to this port. She had
no sooner come to an anchor off Quarantine
than her owners, Wenburg g. Weeks, the parties
who have recently been so frequently implicated in
affairs of this kind, went out to her in small boat,
and, without going on board, obtained her papers.
Shortly after, Mr.. Dstrict-Attcrney McKeon and
Marshal Rynders came down in tug-boat to obtain
the same documents and take charge of the bark but
on learning that the owners had been too quick for
them they put back to the city at The Marshal
and bis deputies were soon after in pursuit of Messrs
Wepburg g. Weeks As the Pancbita is in Quaran.
tine-the African fever prevailing on board-our re-
porter could not 60 to her for further information
-Four of her laid up in the Marine Hospital
Yesterday, and most of the others are sick.
Captain Sadden, of the bark, has prepared the fol-
lowing statement for the public
On the 18th of May, while the Panchta was still
lying in Congo River, was visited by Capt. horsity
Of Her Britannia Majestys sloopofw war SaPpho, who
requested to see the ships papers, to which imme'
diately complied With, at the same time wishing to
muster my crew, at which l also acquiesced, they
poor ellows-all lying sick with African fever as well
hac6es, to which refused, replying that if he was an
American officer would do so upon which ne IN
formed me- officially that he should detan the vessel,
III der the charge Of an officer, against which was
cabin he informed me that he should allow me to pro.
coed On NY destined voyage but with an officer to be
placed on board to watch my proceedings while on
The coast since refusing any OF capt Ms Grew 10
Mr. Willis, the master of SapPho, coming up from the
fore scuttle he having gone below against my njunc
tons, as also breach Of honor, he knowing full well
was in the cabin at the time, and protesting against
his Capt me- proceedings. However, after Mr. W.
had conversed with Capt. M. for few moments
Capt. NJ came immediately to me and said he was un
der the painful necessity Of taking charge upon wnch
ur q. f by foreign ,fcer, forever declining to hold
sad charge again. Capt NJ had sentries stationed
fore and aft the vessel. On the 9th OF May Mr. Mes
quita (my supercargo) acquainted me by note that n
wished me to have the Pabchita prepared Tor Sc
as coon as possibe-I then lying sick at the Amer
can factory Porto de Leuha) whose ipJuncfons
followed under the superintendent OF the mate, wh
flushed taking in ballast all cargo that could be pro-
cure and provisions slowed on the ballast-thc YES,
sci being ready for seahaving also procured my food
for the blacks who to work on board as sailors IN
lieu Of my crew, and per the supercargos billet OF
instructions, was to sail the morning of the 10th for
Caberda for the purpose of legal traffic which trade
was to accomplish with the natives with portion OF
NY outward cargo; thence to proceed TO Loango
more northern port the coast; but my proceedings
were stopped as before, by Capt NJ, by the seizure
of the bank on the Of my departure for the above
potts On the 10th, at a. M the Panchita was IN.
mooied by Capt Mocrsely, with a prize crew, and
sc Tho
chored alongside Of her Britannia Majesty sloop Sap
pLo, where, on the following morning, the hold was
overhaued and searched in the presence OF two refer
ees. After which | received the following comnuni'
cation, VIZ
OFF Sharks Point, 18th May. !
IL having been represented to me by the Senior
Leuenants and Master Of ii. NJ. sloop under my com
mard that they do not consider the running rigging
and mainInast of the American bark Panchita now
Wing off Sharks Point Congo River IN Ut state 10
cross the Atlantic, well as there being no spare
sas with little or 10 cargo, and Ouy one small boat
belonging to the said baik-not sufficient in case OF
emergency for the use Of her own crew-has induced
ne TO withdraw the British naval officer now on
board the said baik in the superstition that she was
not inter ded for legal traffic, in which consider am
sufficiently borne out, not only in my own opinion,
but by others whom have consulted and from docu-
ments which have in my possession, signed by par,
Ties having interest 10 the consideration OF the said
bark, and not wishing to risk the lives OF the oceis
in the said bark. / now engage to place suhc'ent
hands ON board fJr YOU the master, F. Is. Sladden 10
take her either to Porta dc Leuha or Caoenda Tor
waIdng all the papers connected with the taid DARK
TO the senior officer the coast Tor the Information
Of NV Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty.
FAIRFAX MORsLEY Co,n'r Ii. NJ. sloop Sappho
In reply 10 the above sent the following.
American BARK PaScHIIa while under seizure OF
ii. NJ sloop Sappho, May 10, al SHARKS foht. .
Yours Of this date came TO hand at 5:i5 p. M, OF
this date in which you represent that your senlo
Lieut. snd master Of said OOp consider that the run
ming rigging and mainmast Of said bark are not in Il
fit state TO the Atlantic. Allow me to infJrm
you that am willing for any competent and disinter
ested mariner 10 held survey her naumast and rig
Gng, at the same time consider the opinions of four Of
tceis Iu and void in regard to my sails cannot bu
ray the suite which bent are all good
moreover, by mistake (duiing my sickness spare
tpsai has been left at Porto de Leuhs in the store
house of Mr. Antonio Jose Fernandez; furthermore,
IL reason give for being in such sorehoDse is that
il would not be destroyed by rats, Of which there
many on board. You observe, also, there is little
no cargo Oh bOaId-in reply TO which must say that
after the bark was fitted with new mai h 90,
boarded by yourself and your master with two boats,
was RI ady for sea, with provisions stowed, hiewood
on board and sufficient ballast TO conduct the snip 70
Cubenda to which port was she oOn mem si to conduct
The vessel 10 her destination, my crew beng Sex anu
unfit 10 perform their duties. | viii als) alo" any
two con petebt and disnteresicd persons connec'co
with the mercantile marine, to examine my ooaN VI
,a,Ler the boat belonging the said bark with regard
10 Efficiency TO hold contain the crew OF my VeSSe
no in puubt n 10 Gaze Of emergency. Wth rel renee
10 apy con, utoiion you may have had by parties ana
also from documents which you have received, ana
which Won have in your possession, and have Dseh
advised by; do now most positively and most rig'd'y
again protest ogainst the i'll which you moet M
oeseryedly place the good bark Panchits; yon 40
offer 10 place sufliceDcy Qi men on Doart ~ 81
bark to conduct bcr TO Porto de Leuha or Cabenf'