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New York Morning Herald, September 9, 1839, p.2.
THE AFRICAN SLAVES.
[Correspondence of the New York Herald.]
NEW LONDON, Sept. 6, 1839.
MR. BENNETT:--I have been engaged today in discharging the cargo on board the Amistad,
and not one dollar of gold or silver has been found among her goods. Her cargo consisted
of maccaroni or vermicelli about 200 cases; about 20 cases of dry goods, French linens,
linen Cambrics, silks, chintz, &c.; every case of which had been broken open
and disturbed. Glass ornaments of almost every description, parts of which were to
be found in every portion of her hold. I send you the lock of her pirate gun; the
club with which Cingues, the chief, struck the captain, and the knife with which
he despatched him. I am induced to send them, believing you will be pleased to accept
them. A selfstyled gentleman claiming to be assistant editor of some penny paper,
visited our city last week, with a view to glean some information concerning the
schooner, and left a not very favorable impression of his character at the City Hotel,
where he called to put up; for the particulars of his conduct I refer you to the
barkeeper. The Consul is yet in town. We are pleased with his appearance. He is probably
conferring with the minister at Washington. The whole of the cargo belonging to the
schooner, is at present under the key of the Customs at this port. We understand
that the marshal has a sum of money in his possession, for which he has given a receipt
to Captain Gedney. The money was taken from Fayquorna, who assisted in killing the
captain. There is a cask which has not been inspected; it is supposed, from its weight,
to contain money*. The slaves are committed to the New Haven prison--for which the
keeper is receiving his fee of turnkey, 12 1/2 cents for every spectator. We understand
he has received a considerable sum already.
The schooner has had two thousand visiters [sic] since she came to the dock.
*NOTE. Signor Ruez, now in this city, says the cask only contains the iron pieces
of an engine intended for his sugar estates at Principe.
