Africa and the American FlagFoote, Andrew H. (Andrew Hull)
History
Africa and the American Flag
Foote, Andrew H. (Andrew Hull)
Africa, West -- Description and travel; Liberia -- History -- 1847-1944; Slave trade -- Africa, West
The British commander further stated, that he informed the master of
the Louisa Beaton that he would immediately order his vessel to be
released, and that on falling in with the commander of the Perry, all
due inquiry into the matter for his satisfaction should be made; but
that the master positively refused to take charge again, stating that
he would immediately abandon the vessel on the Dolphin’s crew quitting
her; and, further, requested that the vessel might be brought before
the American commander.
That, as much valuable property might be sacrificed should the master
carry his threat into execution, he proceeded in search of the Perry,
that the case might be brought under consideration while the Dolphin
was present; and on arriving at Ambriz, the cutter of the Perry was
found in charge of one of her officers.
On the following morning, as he stated, accompanied by the officer
in charge of the Perry’s cutter, and the commander of the Dolphin,
he proceeded to the Louisa Beaton, and informed her master that the
detention of his vessel arose from the refusal, on his part, to
show the proper documents to the boarding-officer, authorizing him
to navigate the vessel in those seas; and from his mate having been
identified by one of the Dolphin’s officers, as having been captured
in charge of a vessel having on board five hundred and forty-seven
slaves, which attempted to evade search and capture by displaying the
American ensign; as well as from his own suspicious maneuvering in the
chase. But as he was persuaded that the Louisa Beaton was an American
vessel, and her papers good, although a most important document was
wanting, namely, the _sea-letter_, usually given by consular officers
to legal traders after the _transfer of masters_, he should direct the
commander of the Dolphin to resign the charge of the Louisa Beaton,
which was accordingly done; and, that on meeting the commander of the
Perry, he would lay the case before him; and was ready, if he demanded
it, to give any remuneration or satisfaction, on the part of the
commander of the Dolphin, for the unfortunate detention of the Louisa
Beaton, whether engaged _in legal or illegal trade_, that the master
might in fairness demand, and the commander of the Perry approve.
After expressing great regret at the occurrence, the British commander
stated that he was requested by the captain of the Dolphin to assure
the commander of the Perry, that no disrespect was intended to the flag
of the United States, or even interference, on his part, with traders
of America, be they legal or illegal; but the stubbornness of the
master, and the identifying of one of his mates as having been captured
in a Brazilian vessel, trying to evade detection by the display of the
American flag, had led to the mistake.
A postscript to the letter added, “I beg to state that the hatches of
the Louisa Beaton have not been opened, nor the vessel or crew in any
way examined.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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