Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-03-20
boat. His duty was to take prisoners
of war and such mails a. we're allowed


boat. His duty was to take prisoners
of war and such mails a. we're allowed
to 20 out from the Confederscy from
Richmond to the neutral ground sp-
pointed by the two Governments. At
one period the fag-cftruce landing was
varina (Aiken's landing); at another
it was City Point, and later still it was
Cox's wharf.-the first wharf seen
coming up the river after Dutch Gap is
passed. Hundreds Of Federal soldiers
will remember the old Captain in this
connection
Since the war Captain Clifford has
been steadily in command Of James
river steamers, his name being best
known in connection with the Ariel, Of
which line Lucien b. Tatum. Esq, is
the superintendent and general manager.
The Captain leaves . widow and ono
son. and two half brothers, Joseph and
Charles Lewis--the former residing at
Westchester, Ontario county, N. Y;
the latter at Wellington, o. Deceased's
funeral will take place tomorrow after
noon at O'Clock from the Third Pres
byterian church, and he will be buried
in Hollywood in section which he
bought twenty years ago, and Of which
he but recently said " 1t is the most
beautiful section in Hollywood, for it
hasn't a single grave in it,"
AS to what caused the Captains
death there is nothing but conjecture.
He had recently complained Of q pain
in the chest, but it gave him little
trouble. In fact, although always a
strong, healthy man, he was unusually
well and cheerful night beiore last, and
passed some pleasant jokes with his
daughter.in-law about a puzzle-ring he
had given her.
He was a member Of Union Lodge,
No. I, of 0dd-Fellows, and Of Rich
mond Randolph Lodge, No. Il, A., T.
and A. NJ.
The flags Of all the vessels in the
harbor were at half-mast yesterday in
in respect to his memory.
AN EXCITING CHAPTER IN THE
CAPTAINS LIFE-THI CREOLE
MUTINY.
The Creole, bound from Richmond,
Norfolk, and Hampton Roads to New
Orleans, sailed October &, 1911, having
on board about l35 negro slaves, who
were to be taken to the New Orleans
market. Robert Enson was captain
and Captain Clifford chief mate. The
fate of the brig and ber crew, as told
about three months ago by the yenera-
bic navigator to State reporter, who
had sought an interview with the Cap
tain in regard to the matter, was re-
lated in these words
"On the night Of the 9Th. which was sun
day night, the negroes mutlnied ami Killed
most OF the crew. The next day ! found
myself lying ON the quarter. deck. suffering
fiom a pistol-shot wound and some bruises.
The negroes had Killed seven Of our crew
and lett me for dead. when | came TO the
ship was out OF the harbOr. and the mutt
ueers demanded me 10 take them 10 the
Islard OF Abaco, where they said they had
been told by preacher In Norfolk That they
would get their heedom.
POOLING THE MUTrNEERs.
II fooled them aud went TO the Island OF
Nassau, forty.siX miles from Abaco. got
into the harbor at 1880 O'Clock Tuesday
morning and sent on shore Tor the Amer.
can Consul to come aboard anu maze re-
port. The American Consul then called on
Admiral Cock burn, OF the British navy,
and he made up his mind TO free the ne
gIoes. and he did 30. ] protested against
such proceedings. and sent the protest 10
Washington. John Tyler was President OF
the United States then. and the ease was
managed by President Tyler aud Daniel
Webster. They made a demand upon the
British Government To pay for the slaves,
and after fourteen years that Government
compound interest. Lord Ashburton came
over here from England to treat for them.
and II was known as the Ashhurton treaty"
Did the slaves see the Island or A naco
when you passed II? Interrupted the re-
porter.
THOUGHT IT WAS A STAR.
They may have seen the light In the
light. house, and II they did they thought lt
was n star.
when we came I'm sight OF Nassau the
slaves saw the houses and asked me II 10
was AbacO. | told them yes: and then they
said that they had been told there were not
many houses al Abaco. Then they asked
me to run further down the island away
from tnc settlement. i tDlu fnen 10 look
away over To a big white building. and ask
ed " Don't you see that building on the
mountain They answered, Yes aud
then said, hat building is n fort and II
we undertook TO go away the men at the
fort would tire at Us and XIII all Oh board
This frightened them. and afterwards
they didn't object To going into the harbor.
When We laI led the slaves. with the eXcep-
tiOn Of i've who wanted 10 20 TO New Or
leans to their masters. left the ship These
five remained In the state. rooms OF the sh D
and we've enabled 10 get To New orleans.
What became OF the negroes after they LEFT
the ship don't know. was arrested and
put under bond OF $4,000 with twelve
months imprisonment, II | attempted To
lake British subject from the bland As
soon as the negroes landed they claimed
protection nom the British authorities. and
were at once declared subjects OF Great
Britain
Were the negroes originally from Rich
mond?" was asked.
"Yes." Captain Clifford replied; They
were bought by negro. traders here several
ofwhom are now living I'm the city"
Did you ever hear nom the slaves after.
wards?"
MY son was in the Confederate navy,
ard he was taken with the yellow fever du-
ring the war while at the bahama Islands:
and strange TO say, hls nurse was one OF the
negroes who was with the mutineers."