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 master of an American vessel, when calling on board, in company
with the consul, communicated a report that the American brigantine
Louisa Beaton, a few months previously, had been denounced by the
British consul to the governor-general of these islands, as a vessel
engaged in the slave-trade. The American consul had heard the report,
but being informed that the information was communicated _unofficially_
to the governor-general, had taken no action in the case. The
commander of the Perry, with the consul, then called on the collector
of the port, and after learning the facts, addressed, on the 29th of
September, a letter to the collector, requesting official information
in reference to the agency that the British consul had had in inducing
the governor-general of the Cape Verde Islands to direct a search to
be made of the Louisa Beaton, on suspicion of her being engaged in the
slave-trade.
The collector, in reply, stated that the governor-general had not
ordered any survey or visit on board the Louisa Beaton, but had
directed him to state what was true in regard to the aforesaid vessel
suspected of being employed in the slave-trade; as a representation
had been made to his Excellency, by the consul for her British Majesty
for these islands, in which the consul stated his belief that the said
brig had on board irons, pots, and all other utensils and preparations
necessary for that traffic; and also that he knew of a load of slaves
being already bargained for, for the said vessel.
A letter of the same day’s date was then addressed to her British
Majesty’s consul, stating that the commander was credibly informed
that, during the month of May he had denounced the Louisa Beaton to the
governor-general, on suspicion of her being engaged in the slave-trade,
and requested him to state by what authority he made the denunciation;
also, the grounds upon which his suspicions of the illegal character of
the vessel were founded.
In reply, on the same day, the British consul stated that it was upon
the very best authority that could be given; but he regretted that it
was not in his power to name his authority. But that the character
and former proceedings of the Louisa Beaton were quite sufficient to
be referred to, to show that her proceedings were even then strongly
suspected.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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