The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1858-12-16


Bradford and Carpenter, and Sailing Master
Crossman, with an armed crew, boarded the
brig with directions from Captain Maift to fire
three shots should the vessel prove to be law
full prize. In less than six minutes after the
boarding party had leaped ON the deck Of the
stranger, the three shots were fired, and the
crew of the Dolphin, who had become much ex-
cited during the chase, could scarcely be re-
strained by their officers from giving vent to
their feelings in cheers.
THE PRISONERS - THE SLAVE CAPTAIN - THE
REVOLVING CARGO.
On the pre-arranged signal being given, a
second boat was despatched to the prize with
Mr. j. L. Read, to remove the prisoners, who
were speedily transferred from the SLAYER to the
Dolphin, and placed under the guard Of marines.
When Lieut. Bradford mounted to the deck
of the prize with his boarding crew. he inquired
who is the commander of the brig" A fine,
good looking, heavily bearded man - known
afterwards as the dashing Capt. Townsend -
stepped forward in reply to the question, and
said, II presume yoo are now sir But | pro.
test against the damned English flag being used
by an American man. of-war as a trap" Lieut..
Bradford temperately, but firmly, reminded the
SLAYER captain that it would be both prudent
and necessary for him to be peaceable and quiet.
Well, WE'LL" replied Captain Townsend, who
is man of much intelligence, and gentleman
when he pleases, II suppose it will You are
the victors, sir, and / have nothing more to
say" He was then removed to the Dolphin's
boat and, throwing himself on the seat with the
most consummate nonchalance, inquired Of Mr..
Crossman, in command of the boats crew,
whether there was any objection to his indulg-
ing in puff ? Being answered in the negative,
he coolly drew forth and lighted segar, and,
as the cloud of smoke curled from his lips, he
took long, keen, meditative survey of the
Echo from the boat apparently to discover the
cause of her having proved unfaithful to him in
his hour of need and at length, turning away
his eyes with half smothered sigh, he muttered,
"Ahl too much by the head too much by
the head I said so, and, by Cd, I knew
it |" Then loIling back in the boat once more,
he resigned himself to his fate and his Havana
The scene that presented itself to the eyes of
the officers on board the SLAYER was revolving in
the extreme The decks were crowded with
negro boys and women all naked many half
dead with dise:se, and nearly all covered with
disgusting sores. From the dark hold below
came groans, means, and a perfect Babel of COM
planning voices. The smell was foul and sick
ening beyond endurance, resembling more the
effluvia that proceeds from den of rattlesnakes,
horrible habits of the wretched prisoners, car
ried on publicly and without reserve or sense of
shame, rendered the captured vessel pande-
monium of horrors such as no imagination can
depict. To descsibe the filth and misery but
inadequately would take the appearance Of an
exaggerated romance.
ALL PAPERS DESTROYED THE sLAvER's CREW
THE PRIZE CREW - UNPLEASANT OFFICE -
NECESSARY PRECAUTIONS.
An examination of the cabin of the captured
brig showed that it was filed with packed
that hasty arrangements had been made by
those on board for hasty departure from the
vessel. 1t had, evidently, been the intention of
the captain of the SLAYER, could he have sue
ceeded in outrunning his pursuers until the
shades of evening shut him from their view, to
have deserted his ship and cargo, probably even
withthe intention of scuttlng her, and suffering
her to go to the bottom with the miserable be-
ings on board With view of escaping, and
preventing any recognition of the parties en-
gagged in the business, he had taken the precau-
ton to destroy all papers of every kind that he
must have had on board. Upon number Of
the slavcr's company when arrested, were found
bottles of whiskey; but no papers or letters
were discovered on any of them, that could give
any clue to the persons or the locality from
whence they came. Neither were any flags of
any nation to be found on board the Echo; but
in her gangways was found the American coat