The New York herald., 1868-12-24
DEFENCE OF An AMERICAN SAILOR.
To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD:-

To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD:-
knowing the alacrity with which you and your
paper vindicate the rights OF American seamen
abroad make the following communication, hoping
you wiz nnd space IN your valuable columns to no
tice, Wiz
aH an american seaman, master OF the schooner
EDWARD A. DE Hart Of Gloucester Mass, plying be-
tween New York and West India ports. was Of
fered charter by Messrs. Kunhardt 4 Co. to take
freight to ST. Marc ana Port au Prince Hayti; but,
knowing ST. Marc had been blockaded by the govern
ment OF Hayt, would not accept 1t until 1t was rep
resented TO me by the charterers and my broker, b.
). weinberg, OF No. 81 Old slip, that the blockade
was raised, and then that should proceed toward
% Sa MAT amu u the port was not yet open to so
au Prince and consign the cargo to Charles Mot l.
accordingly took cargo Of lawful merchandise
not tne MS thlng OF q conraband nature aboard,
except Colts revolver belonging to the mate. /
left New York on the 4th OF November 1868. Cleared
Had my manifest certified to by the Haytien Consul
Petit Feranda, who was very particular TO know IL
nad arms OF ammunition on board before he would
sign Hs name On the 14th OF November, or Co.
nalves Isanq, saw steamer between ST. Marc and
Gonalves. Proceeded toward st. Marc Bay. The
steamer came up and stopped broad on st. Marc.
used my Dest endeavors to reach her before night.
At half.past four p. NJ reached the steamer which
was Ying iui nye miles from land, and hove to to
receive Doat from her. The officer In charge did
not tell me who he was, but ordered me with oil my
papers on board the steamer. They then sent party
OF armed negroes on board my vessel who took
charge towed US to the port OF Gonaves and said we
were prize 10 the Haytien government.
90 ~ sbo o,ocn manlghI was taken from the
by the interference OF the American Consul allowed
TO go home with him. Next morning was taken
before their tribunal and my vessel and cargo de-
clared prize by the general commanding the forces
Victorin Chevaier by name The American Con-
name OF the United States government. The General
said:-"ies you VIII protest because you strong;
but understand that the first particle OF interference
in this case by an American man-ofwar Will be a
signal for me TO cut or the heads OF every foreigner
III this place ana the crew OF the schooner and for
you viii make an inkstand OF your head.n was
sent on board my vessel at ten A. NJ. on the 18th:
then a.party OF officials came took Off my hatches
ransacKed my vessel nom stem to stern looking for
arms or ammunition, and took whatever they
wanted. have put up with all manner or insults
and abuse; my private property stolen, my men
forced to wait upon them and row their generals
around the harbOr at the point OF the bayonet or
pistols. have been forced to turn water from a
pitcher and pass It TO them and everything else of
the same sort. On the 10th they commenced break
ing out my cargo and landing IT, and have continued
to do SO until the present time. On the 10TH in the
morning, and my crew were ordered on shore;
they would not give me and my mate time TO take
what personal effects they had left US but bundled
us INTO the boat driving us with their swords and
musketS; they would not give us our charts any
nautical instrument or chronometer, which was all
private property. Wild beasts could not have
evinced the hate or malignity they have used to-
wards us. We were turned on shore with nothing,
and what friends we have here have nothing. All
foreigners are looked upon Win suspicion. The
town Is invested inland by the Cacos, and Salnave's
generals are playing tnelr last card which piracy
Myself and crew nave found refuge on board the
American Lark NJ. u. Stetson, OF Boston, Captain
Lemans; but she will sail the 20th ana take this
communication, and he is witness to all the pro-
ceedings. The Vice Consul here is doing everything
In MS power but he is treated like dog No Ame-
rican men-0i-war around here, where they ought to
be- do not know how this affair Will terminate;
but II the American government allows its nag, its
seamen, Its cOnsuls and It's commerce to be at the
mercy OF these barbarians the American public
should know II.
have protested against the illegal capture OF my
vessel. General Chevaliler says the Hayten Consul
Is smart man. Sent US here by certifying to our
papers on purpose TO get us captured. Took more
than five miles from land, and If the Haytien gov
ernment Is the pet child OF the United StaIes and
allowed to do as she likes, piracy might as well be
lcgalized at once and let all America know it.
The French bark Lerida, OF Nantes, was captured
of ST. Marc yesterday afternoon, and towed here;
but the French Consul has stopped proceedings
against her. She Will go clear. She was In ballast,
and bound to st. Marc for a freight. hope you
will have the kindness, through your widespread
columns, TO let the world know what Is done here.
GEORGE III. LOW,
Master schooner c. A. De Hart.
JOSEPH A. CORY, Mate.