Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1916-01-14

W run Lne TlSk VI iHuIlliy, ana VI
losing the advantage we already
had in bringing deliverance to the
captives. We imagined the surprise
of those slave hunters when they
returned with another gang of kid
mapped negroes and found their ship
in ashes. We knew they were
guilty of piracy under the laws of
the United States, and that if we did
not rescue those negroes, they would
be sold into slavery, and their cap
tors escape punishment.
| BY an act of Congress, passed IN 49, armed
vessels w re authorized to go to the A fric all
| Goa, and stop the trade as far as our citizens
we're conce ned, an seize the We, sells of those
" no had slaves. By an act of Congress, passed
May IS, 1920, ii was declared that ii any AmeIi-
| can citizen, or any person or him, should land
! in Africa, and import persont Crefrom, with
the intent of maxim him slave, OF fore bly,
| bring said person on board said ship, such cit
| izen or person should be adjudged a pirate
| and OH conviction, fer death.
We returned to Monrova, anu
there | gave up my command of the
ship TO the first mate, who had re-
NAMED at Monrovia while we were
gone hunting slavers, and was now
recovered from his illness. Here, |
disembarked, and the ship went on
back to America. For long time
had wanted to dedicate myself to
| the hetterment and enlightment of
the negro race; and right there, |
saw my opportunity. With Mr..
/ Ashmun, and Elijah P. Johnson, a
very able colored man, indeed a
vertible Joshua to the colony, |
cOOperated with all enthusiasm aud
might, to make of the little colony
firm and permanent foundation for
a republic. Schools were establish
ed, among them, large in
dus;riai school, over which | had
charge: my pupils ranging all the
way from fifteen to fifty years of
age. Churches were built, slave
factories in adjacent territory were
destroyed, mission stations extend.
ed. peace effected with Eeighboring
tribes, and boundaries Widened.
Additions to the colony were made
from time to time. In a year or so,
oar ship returned with a hundred
and three c0lonizers, and q few
months atterward, a ship came from
Boston, bringing coIored missionar
les and t. achers. 4 large number
of recaptured negroes from slave
ships on the high seas were added
and besides these, many joined US
from friendly tribes. After being
there a few months a small com
pany Of desperate looking and
furnished men in tatere7 garments
came among US. They told US a
pitjful story of how on such, date
they had returned to their ship a
hundred miles or more south, and
found it in ashes, and their captain
and comrades, left in the ship, were
taken off by band of pirates. SC
the natl YES told them. | knew by
their story that they were the sail.
ors left behind, belonging to the
Saver. While they were with Us
they were pretty soundly lecturec
upon the crime Of kidnapping
negroes, and an awful wickedness OF
slavery, and to all appearances they
were converted to the truths they
heard. We told them that we hac
heard all about the capture and fir
: ing of their ship, that it was a sav
er, ard under the laws of the UniteC
States they We're guiltys of piracy
for which hanging was the penalty
ard ii they wanted to escape punish
ment they would be so prudent az
to keep their lips forever sealed re
garding their experience; and a
they had suffered great punishment
already, in their wanderings, an,
starvings, and loss of comrades
! brought upon themselves by theiI
nefarious business, we would no
seek to add to their penalty. The!
vent away on an English vesse
which brought a number. Of re
captured negroes from a SLAYER t,
the colony England had established
at Sierra Leone. They engaged a
sailors; their captain and comrade
whom we took in custody Whei
: their slave ship was burned. wer
} AIKEN to America, and handed owe
to the authorities 10 Virginia, wher
the ship landed. have never hear
$ what was done with them. In tn
7 meantime | received your long
= anxiously locked for letter in answe