The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-10-10
THE SLAVE TRADE-THE ERIE.


vhs Defsndsnts Refuse 90 be sworn ~
witnesses.
UNITED STATES COMMISSIONERS COURT.
Before Commissioner Morel.
OCT. 9.-1Ae United States %. Gordon, Warren and
Han-fne examination Of Lieut.. Dunningtou WAS 70
ssmed BY the United States District Attorney
mis- bundle Of papers (produc<d) handed 70 me BY
Captain Gordon Of the Aohcan when took charge Of the
Hie Capt Gordon stated 70 that he had found them
sn boaro the Erie be said Of the papers was clear
Ance Of the ship from Havana and that Nah sne Gordon
was nance therein - master; took this receip or Inc
delivery.
Q During the forty odd days that the prisoners
with you board the vessel did they either OF the
ray or signify 70 you that the Erie was not owned by
Americans thai they themsel not Americans
o. that they were serving involuntariy On boardS A.
No, sir
Cross examined by Mr. Joachmssen-I have been on the
African station about ave months and half had never
before been the west coast Of Africa have not had
many opportunities Of seeing how the slave trade 10
Tted The slave trade from the old coast 10 deg
south Of sns line ths embraces .hs mouth Of me Congo
ohase the Erie We 70 her; che was going on her
course; we fired blank cartridge she obeyed the CALI
she was ordered to heave to- and she hove boarded
her alone; there was resistance 70 me; but there
was some resstAn this done by either OF the
no inquiry % 70 her cargo to where she was bound
have never Of these three before meeting
them on board Of the Erie; do not know what Mr.
what Mr.. Warren was doing when came on board Mr.
Gordon approaching from towards the cabin and
asked me 70 60 In the cabin in the cabin saw six or
eight men; they seated the cabin apparently
doing nothing had no conversation with them At that
90 not psas 2. "a no an a e.
soners Of these persons tae last saw Of them was on
board The Nohican Mr. Gordon did not refer me to Doc
Jnaauel; heard the name before he did not at
NAT time give me- the name Of any one coming homo on
occasion speaking Of well dressed man aboard,
asked him why he did not say board shipS don't
remember h answer, but think he said that not his
10 no zee on
the Ere when the negroes were brought on boarf;
don't know how the negroes came on board do not
authority over the negroes; Mr.. Gordon did not
claim any over them; my conversations with
necou vh s nS
the trade he spoke Of the OF the Erie Of
course be bad taken the course Of conversation be-
the snip had made; 1t Was tho usual mark Of the
track Of ships course; there were great many
made GU. wi,hsu. his assistance; Ill know soou. Hall
that think that be at the haly when came
md that when came back 70 the Erie found hum drunk
bad him put In single irons 70 have trouble; he
claimed chest OF clothes and qua irant which used
bring The ship home with have knowledge that that
quadrant used board Of the Erie this note was
In Halls bunk. where he slept; Neither Hall Warren
claimed any authority over the Degroes
think be knew that had II; BALL dressed sailor,
. mate nigh. be dressed; Gordon told me that he
.
they did say that they had nothing 10 do with the
roes that they were not board this outward pas
Daee what they went 10 Africa for do not remcm
Der whether dates were the chart understood 1t 10
be her outward track.
Cross examncd-The climate has the reputation OF
being very scky; found the quadrant and chronomo
tsr oompasses and chart oxne and sec,nd glasses
lines and lead; ship was otherwise very well found saw
The clearance from Havana, and her name on
stern and quarter and the dag beyond that do not
anything about her. In veYsaton he said he had been
assd there and spoke Of his childhood ala not that
10 was born there; don't know anything about II,
either 10 Warren HALL IN talking about Instruments
Gordon told taat they had taken the ships sextAnt
board the Mohican
The District Attorney proposed that each Of the pr
noners should be examined and witness lis
own behalf according 70 practice before State msgis
tyates.
This not asscnted TO.
The District Attorney proposed 10 examine Hall wit
ness against the others
The oath being rendered 70 Hall, be said-"I cannot
swear prisoner"
The oath being rendered TO warren he declined being
witness against himself or against the others.
The oath beng rendered 10 Gordon he declined being
witness agar 81 himself or against the others.
Pending the OF these questions, the Co
missioner adjourned 10 the 18th inst, At NJ