Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1858-09-18
CAPTAIN TOWNSHIPS STATEMENT,

. A apecal reporter OF the New x0rks an6une, ue-1
scribing visit to the Dolphn furn'snss the 'otow
ing statement, which we give ct I'D own value ::
The Dolphin. had on board Capt. Townsend, the
commander of the Echo as prisoner. He will be
kept in the custody Of the frigate Sabine to await
the requisition Of Mr.. Hamilton, the United States
Marshal of South. Carolina, who has the Echo IN
custody for adjudication and the Dolphin will pro-
coed tomorrow to Boston, to be fitted it ID sao ior
the expedition to Paraguay. as~
Can't Townsend is q native of Rhode Island, and
has wife and three children residing in Providence
He is about IS years of age, and man OF superior
address and education. He is tall and well formed,
and has prepossessing features. He has light hair,
his Dress He speaks freely upon the affairs OF the
voyage of the Echo and states that he was driven
to engage in the slave trade because of i'll success IN
bis voyages in legitimate commerce. After the Echo
left New Orleans, he states that he called the crew
aft and said to them that he purposed to 60 in the
would continue on the voyage The Portuguese
and Spaniards were probably aware of the nature
of the voyage before it projected. All the crew
acceded to the proposition. Instead of proceeding
to St. Thomas, for which port she bad cleared, the
Echo shaped her course for the Coast of Africa.
Spaniards the slave agents. who went to look after
the cargo, and the Echo proceeded to an island on
the coast for water and fresh provisions. They
were chased from the island by French brig-o Of
war, from which they escaped in a fog
Returning thence to the coast, they took 470
slaves on board, 100 of whom died on the passage.
Capt Tow nsend then gave up the command OF the
vessel TO Spaniard, and shipped as passenger on
the brig This is the frequent ruse in the slave
trade to avoid the responsibility in case of capture.
The Spanish captain having calculated his reckon
ing incorrectly the brig ashore in the night at
Abaco, in the Bahama Islands Floating off at h'gh
water she proceeded her voyage, and at daylight
passed Sagua Ia Grande. when she discovered the
Dolphin making toward her under British coors.
She supposing the Dolphin to be Spanish brig,
which had hoisted British colors for ruse, not sup
posing that there any American vessel of war
cruising among the West Indies, or if there was.
that any American vessel would take sufficient in
terest in the matter to interfere. When it became
evident that the Dolphin was gaining on her, the
crew Of the SLAYER knocked out the hedges from her
masts and sawed down and cast overheard her bull
warks, to increase her speed At the same time the
liquor closets were opened, and the excitement of
the chase was heightened by tho general intoxica-
ton of the crew. No less exciting the on
board the Dolphin, though the artificial stimuli were
not resorted to there. The Dolphins men were con-
fdent of a capture, and this confidence ncreas
ed when it became evident that they rapidly
gaining on the SLAYER. Already the slaves were oh.
served on the deck of the Echo.
After chase of nearly nine hours, the Dolphin
fired two blank cartridges at the Echo. to make her
show her colors This not regarded, and Capt.
Maf6t ordered shot to be fired, which passed
few feet from her stern. The Echo then ran up
American colors, and the Dolphin Immediately haul
ed down the British flag and ran up the stars and
stripes. The next shot fired passed between the
masts Of the SLAYER and seeing that she was entire
ly at the mercy of the Dolphin, the Echo then haul
ed down the American colors. Capt Maffit des-
patched Lieut. Bradford two other officers, and six
teen men aboard the SLAYER who took possession of
her. Capt. Maffit himself subsequently visited the
u hn H. hat oh col
spectacle the condition of the Echo and the slaves
was much better than that of most slaves and car
COS. Capt Townsend states that they had been al
lowed extra rations to improve their appearance and
sPhanHs their ysl9e u maTket Ihsy mere saRVsS
barracoons. While awaiting the arrival Of the slave
Ship they were fed roots and esculents and
ty fed at that, and their close confinement ter
rible. On the Echo. Capt. Townsend states they
were fed rice, BEANS slivers of pork, and quart
Of water, and small quantity of whskey each day.
Tobacco was also given Them and they we're ex-
ceedingy fond of it.
Capt Townsend is at loss to find excuse for
his act He states that the slave trade is humanity
to the prisoners taken by the warke tribes in AZ
RIGA that before they not sold to the traders
they were put to death in cold blood and that the
captves in the Echo would prefer a life planta
ton to the sufferings they endured at the hands of
their enemies in the barracoons. He says that the
horrors of the slave trade, depicted by writer's,
are oaSed upon the lnlaglnatlon ana are only true
regards the trade carried on by the Spanish and
Portuguese.
Capt Townsend is connected with an honorable
family in Rhode Island. He distinguished himself
in the war with Campeachy for his determination
and bravery. His last exploit will bring disgrace
upon an honorable name, and tarnish the lustre Of
his previous achievements He is somewhat defect
ed and melancholy but is confident of escaping the
extreme penalty of the crime by the verdict of q
South Car DINA jury. He expresses his qualification
at being captured by an American vessel of wal,
and is grateful to Lieut. Maft for the kind treat
ment he has received at his hand while prisoner.
He has not at any time been placed in irons but has
been confined below decks. guarded by sentry.
The Dolphin presents the appearance of having
passed through hard service. This being the first
cargo of slaves ever recaptured by an American YES
sci, and brought to an American port, the position
of the Dolphin and her officers is now one Of pecu-
liar interest
Exrp Tucr. IL.