Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1858-03-19
sIIFEERINGs aN A SLAYER.

Cruizer Sappho, off Loando, September -,
1857 1t reveals shocking incident in tbs
prosecution of the aceursed slave trade.
"On the morning Of the 18th inst, in
thick mist with rain. we closed with schooner;
While boarding her the weather cleared, aud
large ship was seen close TO the laul. Direct
IL our boats returned, we made all sail 10
chase, the ship making all sail to avoid us,
aud The chase became very exciting. The
captains said we We're gaining, and SO they
must have tho't on board the ship, as he taeked
in shore and we after hu; then he bore away,
running along the edge OF the surf, and by
help OF his large sails was drawing ahead.
By this time we were sure he was one of the
large American slave ships, and We feared he
would escape if be got searoom, so the captain
took boat we'll nannsd and armed and pull
led 10 windwafd TO cut lin 9ff, and be would
be obliged to tack of shore; another boat R rs
sent to eeward. the master, the only officer Oh
board, being left in charge The ship was not
more than mile a1d half distant, close TO
The surf, Seeing the trap laid for him, and
that he could not escape, be ran bis ship ashore.
We anchored in four fathoms the master took
the whale boats close to fhe skip, and was soon
Joined by the other boats.
The ship was rolling in the breakers with all
her sails Tapping about, and appeared to be
full Of slaves: tue master and crew had aban-
doned her with their boats, leaving the Ameri-
can colors flying. Then we all behele adread-
full scene; the slaves forced their way from be-
low, jumped overheard, and soon disappeared
in the rollers; it was terrible 10 see them. Our
i l. 80 -.
| pulled thI ough the surf 70 the leeward Of the
ship, but her heavy lurching for some time pre-
| vented their boarding; when they succeeded,
the scene was borFifying; the slaves still for
| cling their way up from the slave decks with
| loud yels, running TO and fro, and continuing
| TO throw themselves overheard.
! All attempts TO pacify them were useless;
! force was necessary to drive them below until
| preparations could be made for safety We
| were told by one of the slaves who could speak
/ Portuguese, that they were told the English
would cut all their throats As soon as the
| boats could be attended to, The cutter was
backed under tho stern and rope thrown her;
| then three of the slaves were permitted up al
a time and lowered into the boat, the whale
! boat conveying them through the rollers to the
/ large boat, and SO on TO the Sappho. This
4 continued until 8 A. ~ The surf increased,
and it was impossible to save more that night.
| One hundred and eighty were rescued. The
master was left with guard on hoard; 1t was
an anxious and sleeplcss night for all, as death
was rapidly decreasing the number Of the poor
negroes, who, starving End naked, died from
utter misei y-msn, women, boys and girls,
more than 200 on board tho Sappho--and, as
they ceased to breathe, we we're obliged 10
throw them overheard. Poor negroes hope
conscious in their last moments thas English
seamen came to save them, and now made a 81
lent prayer over them. fortunately, We had
plenty of rice from the schooner captured,
which We fed them with. and placed them as
best We could under cover of sails. As food
and warmth restored them, in various ways
they signiGed their sense of kindness.
There was one poor creature with an infant
at her breast, naked, cold and exhausted, ap-
parently dying; little wine vas given he-,
then some rice, which she forced from her owu
to her baby's mouth. A sheet was given to
cover her; she wrapped her baby in 1T and
pressed it 10 her heart with that look of una
ternal love which God has given to the dark
as we'll as to the pale face race. Qn board The
schooner the master and guard were with the
remaining negroes in perious state; the for
mer passed the night in the forecastle and bow
spirit, drenched by the spray ycf the heavy roll
| lers.
At dawn on The 10Th the Wind and surf had
increased; the ship had driven closer to the
beech; numbers of armed people were collec-
ted; signal for assistance was made; the cap.
went with all the boats manned and armed,
when the natives on the beach, led on bY white
men, apparently the crew of the ship, COM
meuced firing, With the intention Of preventing
the rescue of any more negroes. This coutn-
ued an hour before we could clear the beach,
some Of our shot apparently telling well. Gu
again boarding the wreck, she was found break
ing up, with her hold full Of water. Ga the
/ tide receding, her hull was nearly dry, and
there was no tiuie to spare. The large boats
were stationed to keep tho beach clear with
their guns; the cutter was anchored at the
back Of the surf, and by watching the rollers
they succeeded in throwing her rope, when
the negroes were lowered and hauled through
the surf, aud conveyed as before to the Sap
rho, 200 more being rescued; then the wreck
was set fire TO, and our people withdrawn
We were in such state, with $50 negroes
crowding our decks; the stencil was putrefy-
Jug, and il was impossible to work the ship
In this state the second day closed upon u.s.
| We we're 40 miles from Sharks Point; the
| Captain resolved to ko in bis boat and ask for
assistance. They pulled all night In the heavy
rain, and at daylight on the 10th, fortunately
met the Vesuvius, Commodore Wise, with
whom the Captain returned. Commodore Wise
took the negroes on board the Vesuvius, to be
sent to Sierra Leone in the .aleetor prize.
! have given you the history of one of ihe
many American ships employed in the slave
trade; SIX think, have been taken. We sei-
zed the Panchita 80 miles up the coast, and
sent her TO New York; we do not know Wteth-
er the American Government will condemn
| her,"