Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-12-16


His Present Troubles.
From the New York World, 9th.l
The investigations of the detectives
that are engaged,in working up the case
of Antonio Pelletier, who stands charged
with the robbery of Cuban bonds from
NJ. de CASTILLO, have revealed some
strange facts in the history of a man
whose career has probably been brought
to a close by his arrest The first that
was heard of Antonio Pelletier, in con
nection with Cuban matters, was in the
early part of 1862, when he arrived at
Port au Prince under circumstances that
excited suspicion at first and eventually
procured for him sentence of death. He
was then in command of an American
bark called the William, having part
cargo of lumber, with small quantity
Of provisions, and represented himself
as being from New Orleans and Cartha-
gena. His vessel and cargo were con-
signed to business house in Port au
Prince, who disposed of his cargo and
then purchased sufficient logwood for
ballasting the vessel He next secured
a number of puncheons and casks, which
he took on board. This, coupled with
his cautious but anxious inquiries about
the negroes, first awakened the suspicion
of the authorities, and an officer was dis
patched to search the vessel, when it was
discovered that she was completely fitted
up for conveying cargo of slaves. In
the hold were huge posts to which were
attached short chains and manacles for
securing the unfortunate creatures hand
and foot. Other evidences were found
that proved Pelletier to be engaged in
slave traffic, but these not being sufii-
cient to warrant a seizure of the vessel,
she was ordered from the Haytien wa
te-s. Information was also sent to the
commanders of the ports Of Haytl to be-
ware Of suspicious vessel called the
William. Nothing more was heard Of
her for two months, until a strange bark
called the Guillaume Tell, flying the
French flag, arrived at Fort Liberte, a
small villa, and not port of entry, on
the north coast of Hayti, situated be-
tween Cape Haytien and Montechinste,
where she reported being in distress.
Her captain, Pelletier, came on shore
and represented to the commander of
the fort that he had been compelled to
leave his cargo on one of the small
islands on his passage, and requested
him to let him have a number of
men to assist him in securing
it. His story being very doubt
ful, and the caution the commander
mad received from Port au Prince, caused
the commander to be more than ordi-
narily suspicious of strange vessel, and
while he neither complied with nor re-
fused the captains request, he quietly
watched the movements Of the strange
craft, until he felt convinced that it was
the William, and he consequently took
the captain prisoner, who at once showed
fight, drew his revolver, and attempted
to escape in his boat. The vessel was
then lying buta short distance off shore,
under sail, and had in the time been
standing on and off the harbor; but the
captain was secured and the vessel here
seized was brought in and anchored, and
the officers and crew arrested. The YES
sci, on being searched, proved to be fitted
UP for carrying slaves, and on her stern
was found the name William, her captain
proving to be lie Pelletier. The com
mander having secured the vessel and
lodged the captain and crew in prison,
informed the authorities at Portau-
Prince, by whom he was ordered to for
ward all the prisoners for trial. The
crew were sent on man-of-war; but
Pelletier and the officers were marched
ON foot across the island to Port-au-
Prince. On being brought to trial the Off
GERS turned state evidence and proved the
objeetin coming to Port Liberte was to get
a number Of men on board, carry them
off to Cuba and sell them as slaves.
There being no direct evidence against
the officers and crew, they were ac-
Quilted; but Capt. Pelletier was found
guilty of piracy and sentenced to be shot.
The vessel was con6scated and sold, and
traded for long time after between Bos-
ton and Port au Prince, and always
made rapid passages. Immediately on
the conclusion Of the trial, a French
woman that was on board the William,
and who passed as the captains wife,
hastened to President Jeffrard and pas
sionately interceded for the convicted
SLAYER. Ietfrard, struck with the beau.
tiful appearance of the woman, listened
attentiyely 10 her story, but at frat re
fused 10 interfere, She continued hel
| pleadings, and at length 5elfrard dis
covered that It would suit his convent
enee best 10 keep Pelletier prisoner il
| the fort and his presumed wife a guest
at the palace--consequently the sen
tence was commuted to imprisonment
for life. Pelletier was loud in his de
nunciations Of the proceedings, proclaim
ing himself an American citizen; but h
vas forced 10 submit, and remained I
prisoner four years During that time
! however, he had friend at court, who a
length won Jeffrard over 10 consentinj
20 his release; but in order 10 avoid th'
censure certain tUfollov the pardonin.
Of one convicted Of such crime as Pei
letter. orders were given TO report hin
sick, and that he could not long survive
nonfneneut That being done by th'
doctor In charge Of the prison, he wa
pardoned,. and ordered never again e
L appear Ia Hayt. Afier his release n
lso5 FeiiieIier turned mp in West Vir
ginia, where he sought 70 operate in oi
4 lands, but beipg furnished only with hii
own promises to pay, was unable 70 CARY
out his schemes in that direction. He
next appeared as a claimant for a large
amount against the Government, bu'