The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-11-04
THE CAPTURE OF THE SCHOONER LYDIA


/ From the Charleston Mercury oct. 2O.l
| BY the Isabel intelligence has been received of
| the circumstances attending the capture of the
schooner Lydia Gibbs formerly of this port, upon
the west coast of Africa, for alleged slave ira
ding.
The schooner Lydia Gibbs Captain Thomas Wat
son. sailed from Cuba a trading voyage to the
west coast of Africa, arriving Whydah on the 22d
of May last, where the British steamer Trident
was lying. Captain Watson and the commander OF
the Trident had been school-fellOws together, and
here met after many years Of separation. The old
friendship was renewed, and for a few days most
intimate intercourse maintained between them. In
the course of their communication, the subject OF
the slave trade was discussed; the action OF the
British in disturbing the American merchantmen,
by visits and Search was openly condemned by zap
tain Watson, and strongly maintained by the
British officer Nothing, however, openly trans
pired to interrupt the harmony.
Upon the Goth of May, early in the morning, the
British officer sent message to his FRIEND captain
Watson, with reference tOa box Of cigars, at the
ssme time informing him that he was about to de
part upon n cruise This action, from subsequent
circumstances, was evidently treacherous Tuse.
After the Trident had left, the Lydia Gibbs left
Whydah and proceeded upon her voyage. Upon
the same day, however, the Trident captured her,
the British officers hauling down the American
flag, which she carried, and substituting the Brit
ish in its place. Captain Watson was informed that
his vessel was prize, and his papers demanded.
He refused to give them up, and succeeded in re-
tanning them. The schooner was then searched for
specie, which, had she been SLAYER the British
well knew would be on board but none was found
The British, in revenge, stripped Captain Watson
and his crew of all their personal effects. The yes-
sci was taken to Avuda and complained of before
the British authorities of Sierra Leone SLAYER
1t was while awaiting the result of this action.
against which he had firmly protested, that Cartain
Watson contracted the fever, of which he died, as
have noted elsewhere.
1t was reported ia the English newspaper 1hat
the papers of the Lydia Gibbs were throw Nrer-
board. Such is not the fact. Captain Watson pre-
served them unharmed, although the British officers
offered him literally to produce them. Since his
decease they have been safely forwarded to his CO
owners in Cuba in whose possession they now are.
The fate of Mr.. II. G. Yelling, citizen OF Charles
ton and chief mate of the Lydia Gibbs, and the
crew. is uncertan-no definite intelligence respect
ing them having been received.
The proper steps will undoubtedly be taken to
lay the matter before the government at Washing
ton.
correspondent of the Charleston Courier says:
"Among the Captains papers was found the follow
ing: q, Francis A. Close commander OF her brl-
tanic Maesty's Navy and Commanding II. b. NJ. ).
Trident, do hereby certify that the only object OF
searching the vessel is to ascertain whether she IS
not engaged in the slave trade under false coors.-
Dated this 29th May, F. A. Close, Commanding her
Ma estys ship
"The certificate under the hands of Carlos j. Sra.
Nobr, j. T. Howe, Francisco Jose Mideiros, and
JOS. Dawson testifies to the DEATH by yellow fever,
of Captain Thomas Watson on the fifteenth day OF
July, and that after his Gecease, examining his
trunk found 'the Register of the vessel, Arti-
cles the Chartering Parties, Roll and certificates
belonging to the schooner The gentleman who
was Kind enough to take charge Of these papers,,
called, on his way to Cuba, upon the Secretary OF
the British Commission at Sierra Leone, and was
informed by him that the Lydia Gibbs had been con-
denned because she had no popers'