Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-09-14
Tur OAprA1N OLE ruE SLAyER.-Oommander

TIE CAPTAIN OF THE SLAvER-Oommande
Maffitt, of the United States brig Dolphin, land
ed the Captain of the SLAYER recently captured
BY him. at New York, on Monday week, and
from thence proceeded to Boston. The N. \.
Tribune gives the following account of the Cap
tain, who has been sent to Charleston for trial :
Captain Townsend is native of Rhode Island,
and has a wife and three children residing in
Providence. He is about thirty-three years OF
age, and man of superior address and educa-
ton. He is tall aud we'll formed, and has pre-
possessing features. He has light hair, large
sandy whiskers, and is scrupulousy exact in bis
dress. He speaks freely upon the affairs OF the
voyage of the Echo, and states that he was drly.
en- to engage in the slave trade because OF Ill
success in his 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 go into the slave trade, and promised
them $500 each if they would continue on the
voyage. The Portuguese and Spaniards were
probably aware of the nature OF the voyage be-
fore it was projected. All the crew acceded to
the proposition. Instead of proceeding to st.
Thomas, for which port she had shipped, the
Echo shaped her course for the Coast of Africa.
When she reached Congo River she landed two
Spaniards, the slave agents, who went to look
after the cargo, and the Echo proceeded to an is
land on the coast for water and fresh provisions.
They were chased from the island by French
brig of-war, from which they escaped in fog.
Returning thence to the coast, they took 470
slaves on board, 100 of whom died on the pas
sage. Captain Townsend then gave up the COM
maEd of the vessel to Spaniard, and shipped as
a passenger on the brig This is the frequent
ruse in the save-trade to avoid the responsibility
in case of capture. The Spanish captain having
calculated his reckoning incorrectly, the brig ran
ashore in the night at Abaco, in the Bahama Is
lands. Floating off at high water, she proceed
ed on her voyage, and at daylight passed Sangua
la Grande, when she discovered the Dolphin
making toward her under British colors.
Captain Townsend is at no loss to find excuse
for his act. He states that the slave-trade is hu
nan;ty to the prisoners taken by the warlike
tribes in Africa; that before they were not sold
to the traders they were put to death in cold
blood, and that the captives in the Echo would
prefer life in plantation to the sutferngs they
endured at the hands of their enemies in the
barracoons. He says that the horrors of the
slave trade, as depicted by writers, are based up
on the imagination, and are only true ss regard
the trade carried on by the Spanish and Portu-
guese.
Captain Townsend is connected with an homo
rable family in Rhode Island. He distinguished
himself in the war with Campeachy for his de-
termination and bravery. His last exploit will
bring disgrace upon an honorable name, and
tarnish the luster OF his previous achievements.
He is somewhat detected and melancholy, but
is confident of escaping the extreme penalty OF
his crime by the verdict of South Carolina jn-
ry. He expressed his qualification at being cap
cured by an American vessel of war, and is CRATE
full to Lieut.. Maffitt for the kinSptreatment he
has received at his hands while prisoner. He
has not at any time been placed in irons, but
has been confined below decks guarded by SEN
try