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L. C. Slave Papers AC973,
J. C. Van Dyke, box.

Testimony of Joseph Town

You have explained that these negroes came on board on the
coast of Africa; did the Spanish captain go on shore?

No sir, he didn't.

Did no letter come on board to the captain?

Not that I saw.

What was the Spanish captain's name?

His name was Rivero.

What was the name of the Spanish mate?

Antonio, I don't know the rest of it.

Were the negroes handcuffed?

They were not, there were no wristbands or irons or anything of
the kind on board.

How long was it after the negroes were taken on board before
the chase of the first vessel commenced?

The English cruiser, while we were taking off negroes, we had
not the negroes quite on board when she came in sight; the chase
commenced immediately; we lost her in about an hour.

How close did she get to you?

I don't know, we were loading negroes and she was coming into us.

Witness illustrates the positions of the vessels by drawing
two or three lines.

We went in an opposite direction; she went to head us; she
chased us; she came right towards us; we lost her in an hour.

Did she press sail?

I didn't see; I was on the lookout for a couple of hours, and
thence was called on deck; I came down from the lookout before the
vessel sailed; Then the船在甲板上; I only saw her top

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the deck; I came down from the deck

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all in;

I only saw her top

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Testimony of Joseph Town

gallants; I saw no more of her after that; I then came down on deck.

How did you know that she was an English cruiser, and that she
chased you?

I understood the crew to say so.

You have said to the Jury that the men were placed down below,
the women placed on deck, and the children placed in the boat.
You have said something about three women in the cabin?

Yes, sir, the three women were in the Spanish captain's state-
room.

Did I understand you to say that the defendant kept the log?

Yes, sir, he at times kept the log.

Explain to the Jury what kind of a book the log was.

It was a long book, something like that over there, but I
could not tell what there was in it; I saw defendant write in it;
I saw him write in it after the negroes were taken on board.

What made you suppose it a log?

Because he always took that book when he took the sun or
anything to navigate the vessel; whenever he put anything down he
always took that book.

State to the Jury what you mean by navigating the vessel.
Do you mean that he gave orders as to her sailing operations, order-
ing when to take in or put out sail?

- No sir, not often; sometimes but not unless the Spanish Captain
was below; he took the Sun.

What time did you hoist the American Flag while bound for the
Coast of Africa?

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Testimony of Joseph Town

It was when the English brig passed us; it was the night before we took the Negroes on board.

What time of day did you take the Negroes on board?

It was in the morning between six and ten o'clock; it was about three or four o'clock in the afternoon of the day before that she passed us.

How close were you to the shore at that time?

We were not at anchor, but we were sailing along the Coast; we were about one and a-half or two miles from and as near as I can recollect.

Memorandum.

The case of the "Grey Eagle" - The testimony appears in print. It may be from a newspaper, a reprint, or a brief for the use when on appeal. At any rate it is exceedingly interesting to have sworn evidence of the conduct on a slaver, and I suggest the use of the evidence.

L. C. Slave Papers AC973
J. C. Van Dyke, box.

J. C. Van Dyke, District Attorney, to Peter G.
Washington, Secretary of the Treasury.

(Copy)

U. S. Attorney's Office

Phila. Oct. 18, 1854.

Sir,

Your letter of 17th inst. enclosing a copy of despatch No.
124 from the Amer. Consul at Havana in relation to the case of Capt.
Darnaud, is this day recd. Your request to have a certified
copy of the sentence of the Court shall be complied with at the
proper time. But owing to the many difficulties in the case and
the great uncertainty as to the possibility of conviction it would
at present be very unsafe to say that any sentence ever will be
pronounced under the Act making the Slave Trade Piracy. The evi
dence as to the commission of the crime and as to Darnaud's par
ticipation therein, is in my opinion complete. There are at
present a sufficient number of witnesses in custody in this Dis
trict to insure a verdict from any jury. But in order to insure
a conviction under the Act of 1820, the penalty in which is death,
one of three points must be made out to the satisfaction of a
Jury and the failure of the government to do this is fatal on the
question of Jurisdiction. These points are, 1. That Darnaud is
a citizen of the U. S., or 2. That the Grey Eagle is owned in whole
or in part by a citizen of the U. S., or 3. That the Grey Eagle
was navigated for or on account of a citizen or citizens of the
U. S.

2

J. C. Van Dyke to P.G. Washington
Oct. 18, 1854.

As to the first point, Darnaud now under trial appears by the evidence to have been living in and about Phila. and Baltimore for 12 yrs. That he is a Frenchman or supposed to be such by birth and I have as yet been unable to discover any trace that he has ever been naturalized, nor do I find any witness as yet who knows him by that name. The two witnesses living here who knew him some years ago identify him as Samuel Nicholas. The government is therefore as yet unprepared to sustain an indictment on this point. A prima facie case on this question might have been made out, had I been able to procure from the Custom House at N. Y. Darnaud's oath as Master of the Grey Eagle, in which he should be required under the act of Congress to swear that he is a citizen of the U. S. Such an oath would I presume have been conclusive against him. I am not aware that it has ever been omitted in this Port, but in searching the records in the Custom House at N. Y. I find it has not been required there since April 1851.

As to the second point, the paper title shows an ownership in the name of Samuel S. Grey. In pursuance of a letter of instructions from Hon. Robt. McLelland, Secretary of the Interior, dated Sept. 2, 1854, I sent the Marshal of the District to N. Y. with warrants in search of testimony. After much trouble he found all the parties who had been employed in furnishing and fitting out the Grey Eagle for the last voyage (being the voyage in question). They were six in number. They were arrested under the Act of 1846 and brought to Phila. and are now under bonds to appear and testify when required. Their testimony is in substance that they pro-

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J.C. Van Dyke to P.G. Washington,
Oct. 18, 1854.

visioned the vessel at the request of George Marsden who sold her to Samuel S. Grey the day before her departure from N. Y. No information whatever could be obtained of Samuel S. Grey, nor of the persons who entered as securities in the Clearance and other usual Bonds at the Custom House. Grey appears to have been a mere sham owner. Nor could Mr. Marsden on his place of residence be found. Some of these witnesses said they had been paid in the Counting House of John A. Michado who is a merchant in N. Y. doing business in the African trade. I have since had him arrested on a warrant under the Act of 1846 and brought to Phila. where he has entered security to appear as a witness if required. His statement is substantially that he on various occasions gave money to Mr. Marsden on orders from one Don Leoncio Rivero, That he was not aware of the use to which this money was to be applied, That he is a foreigner by birth, but was naturalized in N. Y. about 10 mos. ago. That Marsden is by reputation a New Yorker by birth, That he never saw Capt. Darnaud, That he does not think Marsden has any other interest in the Grey Eagle than merely acting as the Agent or Broker of Rivero, That he (Michado) paid the money out on bills of credit which Reviro had deposited with him, from Havana on Houses in N. Y. and Boston. That Rivero arrived from Havana a short time previous to the fitting out of the Grey Eagle and brought the Bills of Credit with him. That Rivero is a Spaniard or Cuban by birth and has left N. Y. for Spain.

On the 3d point I have not as yet been able to obtain any testimony which would be satisfactory to a jury. I

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J.C.Van Dyke to P.G.Washington

Oct. 18, 1854.

shall continue the investigation as far as possible and to the extent of the instructions contained in the letter of the Secretary of the Interior.

Should I be unable to make out a satisfactory case on at least one of these points it will be for the Department to say whether it would not be better to abandon the idea of indicting Capt. Darnaud under the Act of 1820, and try him under the Act of 1818 in relation to which the same difficulties do not arise.

L. C. Slave Papers AC973.

J. C. Van Dyke, box.

Thos. Savage, Vice Consul at Havana, to Lewis Cass,
Secretary of State.

Consulate Genl. of the United States

Havana, Aug. 7, 1857.

Sir:

I transmit herewith copies of two communication addressed
by this office, to the Collector of Customs in New Orleans.

The two men, George Williams and Edmund Burnett, therein
mentioned, have been in jail several days, and will go in the first
steamer to New Orleans and Mr. Blythe, previous to his departure,
directed me to have these men secured and sent to that port, as
they acknowledged that they belonged to the Brig "William D.
Miller". Their evidence as given to me, establishes that the
vessel sailed from this port, cleared for Montevideo, when, at
some distance from the port, it was discovered that some eight
or nine Spaniards were on board, and that a certain Manuel
Abarroa, who appeared on the Brigs papers as a seaman, was a
Master; that this person and another of the Spaniards, who acted
as Mate, had the control of the Vessel, except when in the neigh-
borhood of Men-of-War, or of other vessels - then Capt Ford, the
American Master, acted as commander, and Abarroa as a common
sailor; that they proceeded to Africa, and during the voyage, as
well as on the coast, the "William D. Miller" was visited by
several British Men-of-War, and constantly used American colors,
and papers, until the slave vessel was taken on board, after which no

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Thos. Savage to Lewis Cass.
Aug. 7, 1857.

no flag was ever hoisted. The two men further testify that,
six days after leaving the coast with 470 slaves for Cuba,
Abarroa, the Spanish captain, died, and from that time the Spanish
mate and Captain Ford had together the management of the vessel;
that after a passage of about 31 days they arrived at Sagua la
Chica, a place between Cardenas and Sagua le Grande, where the
slaves were safely landed by means of a schooner, after which the
"William D. Miller" was taken to sea, scuttled and sunk.

The length of the depositions prevents me from transmitting
herewith a copy. Should you wish me to send one to the Depart-
ment, your directions would meet with a prompt compliance on my
part.

A day or two after the date of Mr. Blyth's letter to the
Collector, I heard that Capt. Ford was still here. I have not
however, been able to learn any thing further in regard to him,
and presume he has found his way out of the Island.

The slave trade, it is reported here, has been carried on
quite briskly during the present year. I hear of three cargoes
having been safely landed a few days ago in the neighborhood of
Sagua la Grande, for which the Governor of the place has been re-
moved.

A number of American vessels have been transferred here and
sailed under American colours, with sea-letters issued by this
consulate; every one of them is suspected of having gone to Africa
for slaves, instead of proceeding to the ports of the United
States expressed in their sea-letters. I enclose a list of such

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others as were transferred, but are likewise reported as having
gone to Africa. No evidence has ever reached this office to
justify any action on the part of the consul to discover whether
the vessels in question were really fitted out for the slave
trade.

...

List of vessels transferred at Havana in 1857

Barque Minnetonka of New York 283-18/95 tons transferred on 30th March to Frederic A Drinkwater of Portland, Me; cleared 3rd of April, commanded by H. W. Mallerq, with a sea letter for Boston. 7 men, laden with rum and stores.

Schr. Joseph H. Record of New Port, R. I. 109-67/95 tons transferred 20 April to F. A. Drinkwater; cleared May 6th with rum and stores, under sea letter for Boston, commanded by Henry P Williams with 5 men.

Brig R. R. Lawton of Newport, R. I. 198-55/ tons transferred 21st April to F. A. Drinkwater; cleared 16th May, laden with rum and stores, under sea letter for Boston, commanded by George B. Sterling, her former mate and crew 6 men.

Schr. Abbott Devereaux, of Savannah 113-71/ tons transferred 23 April to Thomas A Myers of Philadelphia cleared 9th May, laden with rum and stores, under sea letter for Savannah, commanded by said Myers; crew 4 men.

Brig Telegraph of Charleston S. C. 185-74/ tons transferred 9 July to Joseph A Ellis of New Orleans; cleared 27th July with sea letter for Boston, under command of A. L. Baptiste, a naturalized Am citizen, (of which he produced evidence) and resident of Baltimore; laden with rum, rice sugar etc - crew 7 men.

Schr Niagara of Wilmington 174-84/ tons sold 23, July to F A Drinkwater, who has asked for a sea letter for Boston, she is still in port.

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List of vessels transferred
at Havana in 1857.

Brig Braman of New York, 185-17/ tons sold 24 July to said Drinkwater, cleared 1st Augt with a sea letter for Boston, cargo of rum and stores commanded by William Smith; crew 7 men, the same persons that brought her from New York; Capt Smith was the mate of the brig previous to the transfer.

Mr Frederic A Drinkwater, the purchaser of the Minnetonka, J. H. Record, R. B. Lawton, Niagara, and Braman, is a well known American ship-master from Portland; he has been in Havana a few months -- is still here.

List of American vessels not transferred; reported to have gone to Africa after slaves.

Schr. James Buchanan of Bristol Penn 142-25/95 tons owned by Albert De Groot and others. De Groot was the Master, and had a power from the other owners to sell her; he left a power of attorney to Francis D Newcomb of Havana to sell her; but the consulate has no knowledge of her having been sold; Capt De Groot went home to Bristol, Penn. The vessel cleared with rum and stores for Boston, on the 23 June, under command of her former mate John Duncan.

Barque Clara B Williams of New Orleans 331-43/ tons. Seth Briggs, master and 9 men, cleared 3rd of June for Callao, with rum, sugar, cigars, tobacco scraps, khd (?) shakes etc.

Brig Windward, of New Orleans 177-28/ tons Charles Rauch, master, arrived here 3 July with an assorted cargo from New Orleans, cleared 13th July with same cargo for St Paul.

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(Signed) Manuscripts & Archives

U. S. vice consul.

Thomas Savage, Vice Consul, to Lewis Cass, Secretary
of State.

No. 63.

Consulate General of the United States

Havana Oct 13. 1857

Sir:

It having been reported to me on the 17th ult. that a vessel
said to be American, had been captured with Negroes on board by a
Spanish War Schooner in the neighborhood of Cardenas and taken into
that port, I wrote to the Consul at Matanzas requesting him to pro-
cure for me all the information he could from the Consular Agent
at the first named place. You will find herewith enclosed a copy
of Mr Garesche's reply. No other information having reached me
from that Consul, I again addressed him upon the subject on the
24th ulto. my last letter remains unanswered. In the meantime the
vessel, a Bark, was brought into Havana under Spanish colors, with
the crew and negroes. The crew are lodged in the public Jail to
undergo a trial; and the negroes are retained by the Government for
public service in the capacity of Emancipados; the number taken was
only 383. of whom several have died of small pox. No portion of
the cargo had been landed previous to the capture; the vessel is
the Bark "Paez" formerly of Philadelphia, from which port she used
to trade with Venezuela, but from information given me by her Cap-
tain it appears that she had been sold, and that a Register was
issued to her in New York on or about the 20th March last in the
name of Frances M. C. Yale UNIVERSITY LIBRARY in New York. The captain

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Thomas Savage to Lewis Cass.

Oct. 13, 1857.

has informed me that he was employed as Master by Russell and
Vining Shipping Merchants of New York and residing in Brooklyn.

After the Bark's arrival here, no communication having
reached me from the Captain, I called at the Jail on the 8th in-
stant, when he delivered me a letter, (a copy of which is enclosed
marked A) after reading which I desired him to furnish me a full
statement of all that occurred on board the Paez from her de-
parture from New York to the time of her capture, which he did, and
a copy thereof is accompanied hereto marked B. The Captain named
George W. Palmer, a native of Stamford, Connecticut and aged about
35 years assured me besides that the crew, who have had reason to
be dissatisfied with the Spaniard, who as he alleges deprived him
of the command testified on board the War Schooner, that he, Palmer,
had had nothing to do with the taking of Negroes on board, and
he entertains the belief, based upon certain assurances, deemed
reliable by him, that he will soon be released.

On the day after my interview with Capt. Palmer, I addressed
a communication to the Captain General, laying before him a copy
of Capt Palmers statement, and requesting his Excellency to furnish
me such information bearing upon the affair in question as he
could. I transmit herewith a copy of that communication to which
no reply has been given as yet. I enclose likewise a copy - trans-
lation of the certificate given to Captain Palmer by the commanding
officer of the War Schooner that captured the Paez.

In the absence of evidence other than the Captains asser-
tions I have deemed it proper to be very cautious to advance nothing

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in opening a correspondence with the Captain General upon such
a delicate subject. I must of course await his Excellency's
reply before I can say anything further. It is reported that the
authorities intend to destroy the vessel, as required by law, but
I presume, if it is made evident that Captain Palmer was actually
deprived of his command, and that his vessel was engaged in the
Slave trade against his will, she should be returned to her
owner, unless it is proved that such owner allowed her to be used
for that purpose, and the Spanish Captain and crew dealt with as
Pirates.

The Slave trade has been going on very briskly. It is be-
lieved that a considerable number of Africans have been smuggled
into this harbor -- a short time since a cargo was landed during
the night at the place called "La punta" just outside of the City
wall, and in view of three forts, the 'Punta Gate' and the public
Jail at all of which guards of Soldiers are stationed. A few
of the negroes only were discovered and taken. Several persons
are under arrest charged with implication or connivance with the
traffic.

Referring to the list of vessels transmitted with my dis-
patch No 51, I have to state that it is generally believed here
that the "Minnetonka" safely landed a cargo of negroes from Africa,
and afterwards proceeded to Yucatan, from whence she intended to
make another voyage to Africa.

The "Abbot Devereux" it appears, was captured on the coast
of Africa by a British vessel called the "Feazer" her ostensi-

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Thos. Savage to Lewis Cass.

Oct. 13, 1857.

ble owner and Master, Thos. H. Myers arrived here a few days ago from Teneriffe; he handed me the certificate of the U. S. Consul at that port, which I accompany, and desired me to furnish him a document to enable him to leave this Island. I granted his request and he took passage in the American Brig R. M. Charlton that sailed this morning for Savannah.

Of the Telegraph I have heard that she went to Africa, not intended to bring Slaves to Cuba, but to establish a factory there, and to be employed on that coast in connexion with the Slave traffic.

Information has been given me that the "Clara B. Williams" has been seen hovering about the coast of Cuba for an opportunity to land slaves, and had been chased away by a Spanish man of war. In conversation a few days since with a person connected with the house that despatched that vessel in this port, he assured me that news had been received of her arrival at Callao, and of her being loading for Cadiz. No tidings of any kind have reached me respecting the other vessels mentioned in the list, and no more American vessels have been sold here since

Mr. Frederick A. Drinkwater, in whose name were cleared the 'Minnetonka' 'J. H. Record' 'R. B. Lawton' "Niagara" and 'Braman' is believed to be in New York.

The ship Triskina of New Orleans, Capt James Fairfowl, 342-10/98 tons owned by Daniel Ryon Carroll of New Orleans, and sailing under a Sea letter issued by the U. S. Consul at Hong Kong, arrived in this port on the 5th instant, with 172 chinese coolies, from Hong Kong via St. Helena and Pernambuco; the captain informed me that 63 coolies died Manuscripts & Archives reached St. Helena, where

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Thos. Savage to Lewis Cass

Oct. 13, 1857.

he took command of her, and four since.

I have the honor to be, Sir,
with high respect

Your Ob Servt.

Copy

B

Case of the Bark Paez.

Statement of facts of moment in relation to the Bark Paez,
from the time of my assuming command of her to the time of her
capture by the Spanish War Schooner "Cristina". The command
(which was my first) of the "Paez" was offered to me about one
week previous to sailing, and after one or two days accepted by me;
The Stevedores men were already at work on board. She was chartered
by Messrs Russell and Vining, Shipping Merchants of New York and
loaded with lumber, rice, wheelbarrows etc. etc. her ballast was
water, the bills of lading (now in possession of the Spanish au-
thorities) show her cargo for St. Thomas (W. I.) and Sombreco
Islands for a Guano voyage; and in case of not procuring the
guano, I was to proceed to Porto Rico, or obey such instructions
as Messrs James and Phillips of St Thomas to whom I was consigned
might give.

Upon this voyage I took command of the Bark and no other as
none was named to me. My crew were shipped in the regular way
(by shipping master in Peck Slip) that all crews are shipped in
American vessels, and I named no other voyage to the men than what
the shipping articles under which they were shipped all headed for,
told them of no other captain than myself, (the shipping articles,
together with the crew list, Register, and various other papers
are in possession of the Spanish authorities to whom I delivered
them).

The Spanish Yale UNIVERSITY LIBRARY
man on pilot who deprived me of command, was to
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Case of the Bark Paez

be the Pilot for the Sombrero Keys, as I was told he knew all about them, he was not put upon the articles because I did not think it necessary as he was nothing but Pilot, no more than any other. The Paez cleared at the Custom House in New York on the 2. April and I sailed the same afternoon about 2 P. M. from the wharf in tow of a steamboat - one of the charterers accompanied me to see me off. on arrival on board the vessel I asked if all hands were on board, as I had left orders for all to be on board at 12 o'clock. I found all present except the Mate who was shipped under the name of Rufus Jones, and who the Ship Keeper told me, had gone to get the Pilot on board as he did not know the way. After proceeding down the Bay and the Narrows being passed say two miles, the Pilot came on board in a Steam boat with his baggage some five boxes. I afterwards learned that four of the boxes contained Medicines, and the other, a large one, contained a boiler and stove connected. After being on board some five or ten minutes he landed me a letter which I did not read at the time, as the vessel required my attention she being under weigh; but put it in my pocket to read at leisure supposing it nothing of great importance, at the moment a strong breeze was blowing from N. W. I did not go below for some hours after say 8 o'clock in the evening, and when I went to my room I found my baggage had been removed to a room in the Cabin, the Pilots baggage was in the room, but I said nothing thinking that in the morning I would change matters. When morning came and having read the letter, instead of my arranging matters I found they had been arranged for me. the letter is now in the possession of the Spanish Officers, and

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Case of the Bark Paez

bears the signature of J. A. Cubindo or Cabindo, or some such name -- it was in English and the handwriting is unknown to me. Upon my giving an order I was told that the Spaniard was Captain and that I was nobody so far as the control of the vessel was concerned. I told the Pilot my destination was St Thomas, West Indies. he answered the St Thomas I was going to was Africa. I replied No. Jones the Mate was the interpreter on nearly every occasion. The name was undoubtedly an assumed one, he is a Portugueze. I found myself surrounded by foreigners (Portugueze and Spaniards) and the control of my vessel taken from me, and not knowing or understanding their language, who was my friend or who to trust.

I kept silent, hoping that some circumstance might again place me in command as time went on -- frequently there was trouble among them. The men were called aft several times to settle their squabbles. I do not know how many times they, and myself were told that the Spanish Pilot was Captain and that his orders were to be obeyed as he was not only captain but owner and everything, and which they acknowledged on all occasions. Jones was his right-hand man. About three weeks after the vessel left New York they commenced getting the cargo on deck and throwing overboard such as was not required for the deck and stores. So matters went on, and I finding all hope gone of again commanding destroyed my flag by cutting and tearing it in such a manner that it could not be used and placed it in my bag - the flag I have delivered to the Spanish authorities - there was another old broken flag the Union of which I cut out and threw overboard. The vessel proceeded, nothing worthy of being mentioned in these.

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Case of the Bark Paez

she arrived on the coast of Africa at a place marked by some large
Mango trees Latitude 6.45 So, the trees are in a grove, the place
was called in the letter brought to me by the Spanish Captain
Mango Grande. I have never seen the name on any chart or Book
in Geography. Here a white flag was hoisted at the foremast
head, and was answered on shore by a white flag with a dark or
black cross from corner to corner, there is no port that I know of
nearer than Rio Congo. The Spanish Captain went on shore and in
the evening or about sunset came off with a boat load of negroes,
some four boats were employed in bringing off the negroes, two of
which boats were large - the boats were manned by negroes belonging
to the coast. The Spanish captain brought also two Portugueze men,
one worked as a seaman, the other did nothing more than go about
the deck - look at the negroes - and amuse himself as best he
could - he was a sort of Negro Doctor - I saw only two white men
from the shore besides the passengers, to one of whom the Captain
sold one of the Barks boats and got two negroes for it - so one
of the crew told me. I think there were some 567 or 576 negroes
brought on board as near as I could learn from the men. The
The Captain would tell me nothing, neither could I obtain any in-
formation in regard to consignees, or where the negroes were to
be landed farther than that it would be in Cuba.

The captain and passengers may have owned a portion of the
negroes, but I do not know for certain. I have been told that the
Captain had some
besides the two he got for the boat. The same
evening we sailed away from the coast. We were not seen or

5

Case of the Bark Paez.

spoken to from the time we left New York up to this time by any
vessel of war. Nothing occurred until I think the 12th August
at 10 o'clock at night, when in Latitude 3.45 So and longitude
15. W or thereabouts a brig came up from astern (she had not been
seen but a few minutes previous) and hailed the bark three times,
and I from necessity answered the question saying we were from
St. Thomas by direction of the Captain who was near me with some
four or five other men. The Captain directed me to say bound to
<u>New York</u> but I said <u>Baltimore</u>. By the Brigs manoevres I should
judge that she was a war vessel, it being dark I could not see her
well. After speaking us she left without asking the Barks name
or Nationality and steered to the Northward the Bark proceeded on,
and was not again spoken until September 14th when at the Cay
de Cadiz (Cuba) she was boarded by two boats from Her C. M's
Schooner "Cristina" and taken as a prize. She had the same white
flag at the foremast head that she had on the coast of Africa. I
saw no signal from shore, but from a sloop I saw a man wave a
hat to go out, as I suppose, but the Captain would not. As soon
as I could make myself understood I requested to be taken from the
Bark, which the commander of the Schooner promptly did. I handed
my papers to the Commander. they had not been seen, or out of my
possession from the time I received them in New York. I also gave
the commanding officer of the Schooner all the information that
I could through an imperfect interpreter, to obtain the paper that
I knew the Spanish Captain had. I have since endeavored to give
all the information relating to the officers of the Government that I

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L. C. Slave Papers AC973

J. C. Van Dyke, box.

Case of the Bark Paez

possessed, and will continue to afford every facility that is in
my power. I have no friend to shield or interest at stake to
keep silent. When the Bark was taken I suppose she had on board
from 380 to 400 negroes, the balance died during the passage, a
number have since died, but I do not know how many. I was on
board the Schooner.

While on board the bark during the voyage I did nothing of
choice except, as self preservation. Since leaving the African
Coast the Captain has not been very kind to his men - he had got
his cargo and there was so retreat when at sea with such a cargo,
let a man suffer what he may. I think I have given here and
elsewhere all the material facts.

Havana Jail October 8th 1857

(signed) Geo. W. Palmer