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"Testimony of Lt. Richard Meade, November 19,
1839, U.S. District Court, Connecticut"
Mr. Holabird Dis. Atty. Called
Lieut. Mead, of the Brig Washington.
On the morning of the 26th of Aug. we were running a line, under orders of the government, from Gardners Point toward Montaug [sic]. Between 1 & 2 P.M. discovered a vessel off Culloden's Point. The head of her gib and main- sail up. That she was shore. at 1/2 past 3 we saw waggons on shore. Mr. Gedney ordered a boat manned I volunteered; with muskets and pistols loaded. Porter myself and six men. Proceeded to the schooner, and boarded her without difficulty. There was talking and some excitement on board. [?] the two Spaniards, Montez & Ruiz who threw themselves on our protection. I demanded the papers, and ordered all below. The papers were passed up the small [hatch] way.
After the schooner was taken possession of, Porter went toward the shore. There was a boat of negroes midway, pulling toward the schooner first, and as they saw Porter's boat they pulled toward the shore. Porter could not make them come to and fired a pistol, when the yielded [immediatly]. It was all excitement. We heard there were two trunks on shore. I hoisted her Spanish colours in the fore rigging as a signal. My signal was discovered by the brig. Porter brought 7 or 8 negroes in both boats on board the schooner not more, and I put them down as they came on board the schooner. Saw Porter chase the boat -- heard the pistols, and can state from my best recollection that at the farthest there were only 9 brought aboard. There were two dogs also tied -- potatoes --gin-- The trunks were brought up and put on the quarter deck. The dogs [?] ashore. Sinqua jumped up the hatch way -- and sprang overboard -- was retaken and put in irons. By this time the brig got up, took the schooner in tow, and brought the schooner to New London. When I boarded the schooner Montez and Ruiz were found in a miserable condition. The schooner, where boarded, was in 3 1/2 fathoms, under a mile, and over half a mile from shore. I have examined the place since, and have pointed it out as near as possiblen -- went on shore also for that. [?] over half a mile. There is no bay there. In a gale she could have gone to pieces. The trunks were locked. Found one key and examined. There was no money in them. There was some money on board which the negroes voluntarily gave us.
The witness pointed out the spot of seizure on a map.
Cross examined
We were governed by the eye in fixing upon the spot. A short distance from Culloden's
Point -- more than a third of a mile. When the pistol was fired the boat was a cabel
length from shore. When the negroes came on board the schooner, the Brig was 2 1/2
miles off. My post is 2nd Lieut. I had much to do and paid but little attention to
Mr. Porter. I did see him bring the schooner's boat to -- not more than 9 in all
according to my best recollection. Could not understand anyone except Antonio. Put
the negroes below at the point of the pistol . There was one who could speak english
words but I could not make out what he said. Seized them on the 26th Aug. and delivered
them to the Marshal on the 29th. Being very familiar with the [?] and having often
anchored Port-[Pond]- Bay I know the place where the vessel was seized. Ascertained
her position by sounding and by observations on shore.
