The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-01-11

CttOTsi Oy tNS 0TtSa o<dnH Fesut1uS-f'fWef a.
Commander and Reply of the British Csmhnodoys-l
the American Squadron is Dreaded, and Aow tie Br,.
Commodore Eoodes Seising VesH, with Arsers
Col~s-Letsr from The British Commissioner Saou
~aG Aaerscan Vessels have been Captured w Brt
Cruisers.
Dispatches have just been received at The Navy
partment from Commander Conover of the African 50.
ron, who is in command Of the United States Tag G
Cumberland, dated St. Paul do Ioando, 10th October II
appears from his letters that the slave trade Is ex
sveiy carried on in those waters. II also appears
his communications to the department that the Eng
squadron stationed in those waters have been n,erfe
and meddng with matters that did not concern them,
that for some time back they have been in the habi
boarding and Selling American vessels under the pre-
that they were engaged in the African slave trade h
ports TO the department, showing a fragrant vi
ton on the part Of her Brtannc Majesty's governr
OF all right and justice.
Commander Conover says :-Commander McBla;r
on ne 10 Rs nS 's
American colos, by Commodore Wise, commanding
Britannia Maestys steamer vesuvus, the Circumstal
of which infinitely detailed in the reports Of Lie
nants Davidson and Pelot attached to the ship Dale.
action OF Commodore Wise in this seizure appears &c
only instance Of the method generally adopted by
Britannia Majestys cruisers on this coast to
prizes American slavers, and may serve 10 explain
before seemed very strange-that many vessels sh
be reported by the British commanders as having been
tured without flag papers.
The commander accordingly felt ii TO be his duty III
the to enter his solemn protest agains.
action of Commodore Wise in this capture, which he
in letter addressed to the Commander in Chief Of het
jestys squadron on thh coast.
The following is the report made by Commodore
to Commander McBlair, through Lieutenant Pelot. Of
seizure OF the Congo river OF the brigantine Bremn
Com. Wise says,-The Vesuvus was, on the 10th
in chase OF one Of two strange sails that were the
in sight, the other, brigantine, had been standing
by the wind but soon As she saw the steamer in st
she quietly put her helm up and bore of before the
under the impression she was being chased; but this
not the case until the Commodore observing her
manner, changed his and stood for her, sOau
ing the other sail. When the Vesuvus reached her
hoisted American colors and hove to. Commodore
boarded her In person, and having reason TO suppose
the vessel engaged in the slave trade, informed
COMMUNICATIVE appeared to be a Portuguese--tb
was his intention TO take the vessel and that he did
wish to sec her papers, at the same time giving hin
choice whether to be taken under the American a.
otherwise. The captain made some uninteiligble eH
sion about being taken n pirate, and
mate bauled down the colors Immediately. The
pers thrown overheard, and the
was then seized a. prize without colors papers.
drunk, and he informediby the captain who gas
name a. Smith, that another vessel in the Congo
a cargo OF slaves on board, her commander, t
named sam Forrest.
The officers and crew, with the exception Of the
were landed on the nearest port Of the coast and sh
sent TO Sierra Leone.
The following is a statement Of Lieutenant Dsvids
a conversation with Commodore Wise:-That he, Cor
dore Wise, boarded the Bremin in person. and info
the captain OF her that he (wise had undoubted info
ton that the said Bremin was a SLAYER, and her pi
not correct, which WAS violation OF the American
she was then under. After some hesitation on the
Of the CAPTAIN Of the Bremin he determined to thros
flag and papers overheard, which he did, with
attached 10 them, remarkng, at the same time, this
would rather be taken by English than TO fall int
hands OF the Dale, in which latter ne wou,d be
as pirate. then stated TO Commodore Wise that the
IN question, and upon which Commander McBlsir de
10 be fully satisfied, was whether he (Wise) used
guage or other means 10 ntmidate the Captain OF the
min and TO influence him in hauling down the
against his wish. To this Wise replied, " Oh, no. si
sir" Finally asked Commodore Wise, in the ey,
his meeting with an American SLAYER under America
lors and bearing genuine papers, II he would use
TO induce the captain to throw his eolors and papers
bosrdG He replied, Gwen, might stretch pom
tell the captain that the Dale just b
Majestys officers on this coast adopted TO seize Anne
savcrs as the latter would choose the elterr
TO be taken BY an American manof war, sent 10 theU
States and tried for their lives.
The following Is the letter OF Commander Couo'
the COMMANDMENT. Chief OF her Britannia Maiesty's
forces on the coast OF Africa
beg leave 10 call your particular attention 10 u
ports OF Lieutenants Davidson and pelot 20 Comm
McBisr IN relation 10 the capture Of the American b.
tine Brernin by Commodore WBe, commander Of he
jesty's steamer Nesuvius, on the 10th inst. While
extremely anxious 10 preserve the most friendly GOO
ing in the intercourse between the squadrons o
respective governments on this coast, feel IL TO
VI,
and protest mos.strongly against the action Of Comm
Wise In the Zure or the Bremin beng nterfe
with the rights OF Americans 10 take and bring 20 m
punishment those who, whiio they wear the
the United States, offend against is laws. AZ
further violation OF the express treaty stipuf
Of the two governments "to enforce separately
respectively The laws, rights and Obligations Of es
the two countries, for the suppression the slave
and, az being finally in direct opposition TO the of
pressed declaration Of my government. that the Am
Tag shall protect American property from al inirus
inf n maj lrflaa
by threats or any other undue influence whatever.
Commodore Concver also sends . letter, which
ceiyed from her Britannia Msjestys Commissioner
ando, in answer 10 request for detailed Informal
the circumstances under which certain American
have been captured by her britannia Maiesty's cruis
IoASpA, Oct. IL,
sm-l have had the honor to receive your letter
terdsy's date, informing me that you have been G.
understand That several vessels said to he wcarf
flag Of the United States, including the Onward, a
and William Clarke, have lately been boarded and
by her hsJe-tys cruisers this coast and request
10 furnish you with any information in my power
70 the circumstances under which these or any
American vessel have been captured.
In reply, beg 10 inform you that Tor many years
have never known instance OF any vessel und
American flag having been searched or detained
officers OF her Malestys squadron ON this coast
Maiesty's sloop Sappho. in May last, OF the part
Of which you will probably be better informed thai
With regard 10 the vessels mentioned IN your
tako leave 20 add that the OF the Onward, whF
recently detained by her Maicsty's steamer Alecio
out any papers Of nationality whatever on boar
formed the subject Of Official correspondence b.
Commander Hunt and the United States Cont
Agent at this place The latter, therefore, will be
10 furnish you automatically with all the particulars
vessels capture, and 10 that gentleman would IA
liberty Of referring you.
The Charles. Of Boston referred 10 in your lo
probably the vessel which, having been twice met
Majesty g cruisers waiting an opportunity 10 ship
and processing 10 bear an American character, was
detected by her Majesty g sloop Sappho, few day
near Cabecs dc Cobra, with the American ems
flying, and in the act Of cmbarking her human
The Captain OF tho Charles. the approach Of the
bore up and ran his vessel on shorel and he '
tho crew and part of the slaves, escaped. Iiy the
yesious exertons on the part Of Captain Moresby no
ass slaves were rescued from this vessel. great
having. unbappy persisted in their attempt TO re
shore.
or the circumstances attending the capture OF
called the William Clarke am entirely ignorant
The latest capture made by her Majcstys squad
this coast. OF which have received any insorma
that OF brig, without coiors OF papers taken on
inst, by her Majestys steamer Myrmidon, on Ca
Cobra, the master Of which declared that be had d
ut New York. with all the necessary appurtcnanc
slave voyage, and that although closely watch
vessel belonging 10 the United states I
ment, he bad succeeded in getting all his
board, and sailing direct for this coast. On the
don's coming up with this vessel, an American
was seen floating astcrn, and u IL presumed tb
papers had also been thrown overheard, az none
description whatever were found board Of h
visited by her Majerty's steamer
take TINS opportunity Of acquaintng you, ar, u