Staunton vindicator and general advertiser. (Staunton, Augusta County, Va.) 1858-1860, 1858-09-04
A SLAYER in 0ur Pert,

A slave brig, called the Echo, arrived al
this port yesterday afternoon, in charge Of
Lieut.. J. NJ. Bradford, U. S. n. Lieut.
Bradford is citizen of Alabama, and Isl
Lieutenant on board the U. S. brig Doh
phin, Lieut. J. N. MaAitt commanding
Lieut.. Mafitt very kindly writes US thai
the Dolphin captured this vessel, which he
terms an American SLAYER, after long
chase, on the evening Of the 21st inst, Of
the North Coast of Cuba, lat % deg. &c
min. long. 80. deg. 90 min. When first
discovered the SLAYER was sailing under
English colors, bat perceiving the Dolphin
whom he took to be an English yessel-of-
war, he hoisted American colors. When
he discovered his egregious and fatal error
he made the most strenuous efforts to es-
cape; but few we'll directed shots from the
Dolphin brought him to reason, and he sur
rendered at discretion. The SLAYER, still
deeming the Dolphin an Englisman, did
not anticipate search or visitation while
he displayed American colors.
Lieut.. Mafitt writes that their cruise has
been anything but pleasant, as they find the
yellow fever prevailing wherever duty calls.
The following is list Of the officers Of
the U. S. brig Dolphin
J. N. Mafhtt, Lieutenant Commanding.
J. NJ. Bradford, LIST Lieutenant
| E. ?. Williams, I'd Lieutenant.
G. G. Carpenter, Sd Lieutenant.
]. NJ. Browne, Passed Assistant Sur
geon.
A. +. Crosman, Acting Master.
From Lieut. Bradford we learn that the
Echo had 31S Africans on board when cap
tured- twelve have since died, and the
balance are suffering somewhat from dyson
terry. Suspicious we're first excited by the
Echo's suddenly hauling off from the coast,
and upon. the firing of blank cartridges,
hosting the American flag. The Dolphin
then gave chase, and proving herself the
better sailer brought the Echo to.-l,ieut.
Bradford, with a force Of sixteen men.
boarded the Echo and found her in the
hands Of crew Of nineteen men, Ameri-
cans, Ems lish and Spaniares neither of whom
would acknowledge themselves in command
A portion Of this crew were transhipped to
the Dolphin, who took them to Key West,
whence they will be sent to this port by
steamer.
Lieut.. Bradford, with Lieut.. Carpenter,
six marines and ten seamen, constitute the
prize crew in charge of the Echo, and are
now at quarantine in our harbor. The cargo,
generally speaking furnishes good speci-
mems Of negroes.
Our thanks are rendered to Lieut.. n1afitt
and Lieut.. Bradford for their kind courte-
sizes. So far as Lieut. Maffitt is concerned
who has heretofore brilliantly identified
himself with this port his many friends will
deem this exploit at sea as entirely refuting
the opinion which the Naval Board formed
of him, that as an officer Of the Coast Sur
vey he was unfit for duty at sea-
The event has caused as much excite
ment in our community as the success of the
Cable, and speculation, as to the result of
the capture, the fate of the cargo, and the
general bearing Of the affair, is great. Much
curiosity is also excited, and many are
anxious for an opportunity to observe the
African in his native state. It is fortunate
for the comfort Of the officers in charge that
the rigidity Of the quarantine laws will spare
them much Importantly and annoyance -
Eh0rzeet,Tr fYhrcu7j