Weekly Trinity journal., 1859-05-07

DROWNING OF SIX HUNDRED SLAvEs.--In the
year 1910, there was lowering. on the African
coast, large clipper-brig called the Brilliante,
commanded by desperate named Homans
Homans was an Englishman by birth, and was
known along the whole coast and in Cuba as the
most successful SLAYER of his day. The brig was
owned by two men residing in Havana, one an
Englishmau, the other Spaniard. She was built
to carry GOO negroes, and in her Holnans had
made ten successful voyages, actually landing IN
Cuba 5000 negroes. The brig carried 10 guns,
had thirty sweeps and crew of sixty Spanards,
the most Of them old pirates, and as desperate as
their commander. An English brig-of-war,
which had attacked her, so cut up in hull
and rigging that she was abandoned and soon
sunk an English sloop-of-war attempted TO carry
the Brilliante with boats. which were beaten off
with great slaughter. Now II was known that
Homans was again on the coast, and it was re-
solved to make another attempt to take him,
with the evidence of his guilt on board. The
arrangements for this purpose were made He
was allowed to take in his cargo of negroes and
set sail
The Briliante bad not lost sight Of the coast
when the quickened eye of her commander discoy-
cred that he was entrapped. -Four cruisers, three
Of them English and one American, Rad been ~
ing in wait for him, and escape was hopeless. In
running away from one he would come within
reach of another. Night was coming on, and
Homans was silently regarding his pursders, when
suddenly the huge sail of the brig tapped idly
the wind died away, and the SLAYER was motion
less on the waters.
This will not do Romans muttered, knock
ing the ashes from his cigar their boats will be
down upon me before / am ready for the visit
and as he said this his stern face lit up with
smile, the expression of which was diabOlical. 1t
was evident enough that he meditated some des-
perate plan.
A dozen sweeps were got out. and the vessel
moved slowly through the water. Meantime,
the darkness having deepened, Romans pro-
cecded to carry out his designs
The cable attached to the heaviest anchor was
taken outside the hawse hole, and carried around
the rail of the brig, extending from the bow aft,
round the stern, and then forward on the other
side. The hatches were then taken of, and the
negroes passed up, each securely fastened by the
wrists AS the miserable wretches came up from
the hot hole into the fresh air they expressed by
their looks of gratitude what would have so
tened the heart of any but the fend in whose
power they were. Without word they we're led
to the side, and made to bend over the rail, out
side of which the chain ran. The irons lch
clasped their wrists were fastened by smaller
chains to the links of the cable. 1t was slow
work, but at the end Of four hours, six hundred
Africans male and female, were bending over
the rail of the brig, in painful position, holding
by their chained bands the huge cable, which was
attached to a heavy anchor, suspended by sin
gle sling from the bow.
Homans himself examined the fastenings, to
see that every negro was strongly bound to the
chain. This done, he ordered the pen work of
the hold to be broke up, bound up in mating
well loaded with shot and thrown overheard
The work was finished an hour before daybreak
and now the only witnesses of Homan's guilt
were attached to that fatal chain. Homans
turned to the mate, and with a smile full of
meaning said in Spanish
Harro, take the axe and go forward The
wind will come off to us soon. Listen TO the
word, and when you hear it, cut the sling;' the
man went forward, and IIomans turned. and in
vain endeayored to penetrate the darkness. Il
don't want to loose the niggers,' he said, speak
ing aloud, land yet dare not wait until daylight |
wish knew where the hounds were
At that instant the report of gun reached his
ear, then another, and another, and another in |
different directions The cruisers were firing
signals
That's enough exclaimed Romans, Il know
where you are;' and then raising his voice, he |
cried, Harro, are you ready? The wind will
reach us sGon.'
'Ay, ay sir was the response.
In a fsw minutes the sails began to I'LL, and
the vessel moved slowly through the water.
How much water do you suppose we nave
here 2 asked Romans, turning to the man at
the wheel.
'Flty laluoulS, NJ leastt was the rep, -
That will do, the SLAYER muttered, al ne
walked forward and examined the 'chaingang,
as he brutaly termed his dabolical invention.
The negroes sent up piteous groans. For many
hours they had been bert over in this unnatural
position by which tney were suffering the keen
,st torture,
1ne breeze strengthened, and the Brilliante
dashed like racer over the deep. Homans halled
from the quarterback, while his men, collected
In groups, witnessed unmoyed the consummation
Of the plan.
Are you ready, Harro?'
'Ay, ay, sir
Homans looked around, and out into the dark
ness, which was fast giving way to the morn, then
he thundered out
'Strike.'
There was the sound of single blow, heavy
plunge and as the cable fell off the side, a crash,
above which rose one terrible shriek-it was the
last cry of the murdered Africans. One moment
more and all was still Six hundred human be-
ngs had gone down with that anchor and chain
into the depths of the ocean.
Two hours after daybreak, the Brlliante was
overhauled there was no evidence that she was
SLAYER, and her captors were obliged to let her
pass. The instructions to cruisers at that time
did not allow vessel to be captured unless
negroes were found on board
DNCTETN DID ENEpN