The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-12-26
Interesting from the Const Of Africa

THE AMERICAN SLAYER WV. O. LEwIs-How SHE
WAS CAPTuRED-sIsGrLAR CONDUCT OF THE ENG
LIsB ON THE coAsT-THE FRsscH AND THE SLAVE
TRADE, ETC.
[from the Philadelphia Bulletin, Dec 24l
The bark VIM. G.. Lewis was brought into the port
Of Norfolk on Monday last, having been seized as a
SLAYER at the mouth Of Congo river. in November
by boat expedition from the United States sloop
Dale, in charge ~ Iseutenants A. u. Cummings and
Walker. We receive from correspondent the fol-
lowing account Of her capture with other interesting
details in reference 20 the slave trade:--
MOUTH or CoSco RIVER, Now IL, 1857.
The bark Wm. G.. Lewis, of New York was taken
on the night OF the 9th inst at Punta Lehna about
% miles up the river by one of the boats from the
Dale. and will sail tomorrow direct for Norfolk.
The boat by which she was captured had been
sent in search of another vessel suspected Of being
engaged in the slave trade-the brig Windward, of
New Orleans. The Windward was snugly moorcd
alongside the bank dischargng cargo under very
suspicious circumstances, but at the same time
there was not sufficient evidence TO justify her
seizure.
The Lewis was there at the same time, and al.
though Suspected from the fact Of her having been
seized in New York before sailing still she to
be engaged in n legitimate trade. Her papers APP
peared to be correct and her cargo correspondent to
the manifest. After the return Of the boat expedi-
ton, the Dale went on cruise as far "a Loango to
the northward, and on returning 10 the river (Con.
go) this second boat expedition was determined on,
the officers OF the Dale hoping, meanwhile, that
something might be developed to condemn the
Punta Lehua the suspected bird had flown and there
IL little doubt but that she IL concealed somewhere
up the river in one Of the little creeks where boat
would never think Of examining. watching the rst
moment to take in her slaves and he on.
The Lewis was still In her berth, tied up ~ the
trees her cargo all landed and hold clear. II re-
quired a very brief examination then to determine
her character. She was brought down the river the
next day. The fact Of her having been that length
Of time In such sckly region, with every down
with the fever was In itself suspicious. The incen-
tive must be q strong one to persuade me-, to risk
their lives in the reckless way these men do, lying
week after week moored near dead underground Of
mancrove bushes, that makes one fcverish even to
look at Even the breeze by the time II reaches
the factories at Punta ehua brings pestilence with
it, blowing az IL does 6ver marshes and swamps for
more than twenty miles. Legal traders rarely stay
more than day or two. But there was abundance
Of other evidence without rsorting to that. She
carried unusual amount of water casks which the
manifest stated contained salt water for ballast
On examination, instead of containing water
many were slowed full Of slaves for other
casks--in all, enough casks to hold fresh
water for more than 500 slaves across the
Atlantic. Then q quantity Of iron was found, OF
q very convenient size to make slave irons Of
Besides these evidences. there scarcely man Of
her crew who answered his description on the crew
list closer examination Of her log and other pa
pers, that had not been seen on the first visit,
brought other very conclusive evidence 10 light; Her
charter party" (Which contained no seaD provided
for her having always sufficient cargo for ballast,
and forbid her. going more than ten miles mp any
river; these casks called ballast on her mani
fest (Which is evidently forged) and she was found
upwards Of thirty miles up the Congo Then the &C
counts of her captain and mate are very contra
dictcry. Enough evidence was found to condemn
dozen slavers, and have no doubt abundance more
will leak out on the passage. | think the moral