The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-01-06
The Case of the Bark Ardennes.

PUBLIC MEETING IN FLORIDA IN RELATION TO THE
ARDENNEs, RECENTLY HELD AS SLAYER.
We before announced that the bark Ardennes, un-
der command of Captain Antonio Pelleter, which was
seized by the United States Marshal at Jacksonville Fa
on suspicion of being engaged the trade had been
released after investigation.
On the 2sth ult. the of Jacksonville held
Ing in relation to the matter, at which the following
resolutions passed
Whereas the bark Ardennes Captain Antonio Pelletier,
recently arrived within the waters Of the St. Johns
at jacksonville Florida port of the United States from
the port Of Havana Island of Cuba bound to the Canary
Islands upon trading voyage, with a cargo Of as
sorted merchandise, suited 70 the trade; aud
made by William Grothe, in his private
capacity as an individual although holding the Office
trict Of Forida) that he was Informed and believed that
Capt Peeer had fitted out the said bark for the purpose
of procuring negroes from foreign country for the
purpose Of making them slaves &c, whereupon war
for his arrest granted by Judge Mcintosh and
the said Pelleter obliged 70 bail for his appear
for examination; and whereas Also libel
was filed on the 9th day Of December 1858 by Mr. L. l.
Fleming Deputy District Attorney for the United States,
upon said bark after the arrest of the captain for the
avowed purpose of examining her cargo TO procure est
mony against Capt Peleter on his hearing which libel
not dismissed until the 9th inst and whereas after
thorough patient and elaborate examination of the tes
mony produced by the prosecution, continuing six days,
Capt Peetcr was honorably discharged from arrest by
Judge Mcintosh, the giving to said Capt Pelleer
hcae that there had not been any evidence against
him in said examination aud whereas, 10 consequence Of
these proceedings the captain and his said bark have been
detained in this port than month, against the
wishes and of the said captain the of
her cargo and whereas, the citizens Of the town OF
Jacksonville believing that thesegproceedngs have been
commenced and prosecuted not only to the unjust detr
ment Of Capt Peetier but that Is highly preudcial
and injurious to the ana trade Of port aud
district, and that they prompted and carried by
persons exercising brief authority, feel duty dis
claim any participation in appreciation Of the informa-
ton made by William Grothe aforesad and IN furtherance
Resolved, That deeply sympathse with Captain Pei.
letter in the msiotues he has experienced since his arr
val III our port
Resolved That the arrest Of Captain Peleter and the
deteron Of his vessel upon suspicious and vague
was high handed measure worthy only of mercenary in
formers.
Resolved, That citizens Of the Gourshing town of
Jacksonville, reprobae the which been pur-
sued IN this matter towards stranger who has conducted
himself with great proprety and who hears the charac
ter Of gentleman; and intend by this rcbukc
uon those " power hereafter TO beware how they take
shadows of their brain evidence of fact" to impl-
cate and Cypress the innocent while engaged in legiu
mate course OF trade.
Resolved That the evidence adduced in the investiga-
ton OF the charges against Captain Peeter AMI the bark
Ardennes showed concusiveiy that information on
which the arrest was made and the bark detained
based solely upon street and gossip and that the
nlormer, William Grothe, making the Information
private ctizcD-although holding the Office of Deputy
United States Marshal and postmaster-was actuaed
cording TO his own avowa by the motive Of pccuniary
benefit 10 himself by the conscaton OF the vessel and
not by any moral or official duty.
Resolved, That under all the circumstances, and from
the results Of pro onged examination and detention
the captain and bis vessel that the whole proceeding
was inconsistent with the laws and constitution Of the
United States, and which entities Capln Peeter to
full, ample and exemplary damages from the United
states for the detention and injury the bark and her
cargo have sustained, also the hghest penal
damages from the nstgator Of the proceeding for his
personal arrest.
Resolved, That we have observed with pleasure that
Captain Peeter has borne himself with great decorum
and pIOpfety a law abiding citizen, under the trying
ordeal OF bis position, and that the good behavior aud dis
clpne OF his crew has attracted the attention and OBJ
tanned much praise from our citizens,
Resolved, That as business and commerce will and
does seek those ports which afford the best facilities
it, we have other object in than protect
business and town. aud 10 that the
arrest and detention Of Captain Peeter and his vessel
not by the wish desire OF citizens, but an
done by Off as not Interested connected with the
merce Of the district.