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New York Journal of Commerce, August 28, 1839, evening edition
The Low Black Schooner Captured-
The runaway schooner has been captured by the U.S. surveying brig Washington, Lieut.
Gedney, and carried into New London. She is the “Armistad [sic],” of Puerto Principe,
Cuba, and was owned by a Mr. Carrias, of that place. At the time she was taken possession
of by the slaves, she was bound from Havana to Neuvitas, with a cargo of dry goods,
and about fifty slaves. The slaves rose upon the captain and passengers, and killed
nearly the whole of them.
The trial of these blacks will involve several curious questions, which we shall
notice hereafter.
P.S. Since writing the above, we have received the following letter:
Correspondence of the Journal of Commerce.
New London, Aug. 27, 1839.
The surveying brig Washington, Lieut. Gedney, put in here last night, with the
schooner reported by your pilot boats. She proves to be the schooner which left Havana
in June, with negroes, for a neighboring port. The slaves murdered all the white
men, and then intended to go to Africa, but brought up on this coast. She had touched
near Montauk Point, and got a supply of water. &c.
The head negro jumped overboard, when the boats from the brig came along side, and
it was with some difficulty he was recovered and saved. The negroes made no resistance.
One of the white men saved is the owner of the slaves, as he says. One or two of
the negroes died yesterday, and several are sick. It is said there is money and jewels
on board of the value of $40,000, but this is mere report. The schooner lies down
the harbor, awaiting the arrival of the U.S. Marshal.
[This is an interesting exploit for the boys of the Washington, for she is manned
with thirty or forty Navy apprentice boys, and only three or four men. She is engaged
in surveying the coast---Eds. Jour. Com.]
