ISLAND OF MADEIRA—PORTO GRANDE, CAPE VERDE ISLANDS—INTERFERENCE OF THE BRITISH CONSUL WITH THE LOUISA BEATON—PORTO PRAYA—BRAZILIAN BRIGANTINE SEIZED BY THE AUTHORITIES—ARRIVAL AT NEW YORK.
More than eighteen months had elapsed since the arrival of the vessel on the coast; and orders from the Navy Department, to proceed to the United States, were believed to be waiting at Porto Praya. No such orders, however, were received. But instructions had been issued by the new commodore, who had sailed a few days previously, either to remain at Porto Praya, or proceed to the island of Madeira. The latter alternative was adopted; and seven weeks were as agreeably spent in Madeira, as was consistent with our disappointment in proceeding to this genial climate, instead of returning home, for the purpose of recruiting health and strength, enfeebled by long service on the African coast. A portion of the crew were daily on shore for the sake of relaxation and enjoyment.
The princely hospitality of the American consul, Mr. March, in opening his splendid mansion to the American officers, and at all times receiving them at his table, is worthy of grateful acknowledgment. Several English and Portuguese families extended a generous hospitality to the officers; and the intercourse with Lord and Lady Newborough, whose steam yacht was lying in port, contributed much to the satisfaction with which the time was spent at Madeira. The noble party dipped their colors three times, on separating, which was duly acknowledged.
On returning to the Cape Verde Islands, a brisk gale from the eastward induced the Perry to run into Porto Grande, St. Vincent’s Island, which is the largest and most commodious harbor in the group.
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.
In a letter to the British consul, of the same day’s date, the commander informed him that he regretted that the consul did not feel at liberty to disclose the authority upon which he had acted in denouncing the American brigantine Louisa Beaton, for it had been with the hope that he would in a measure be able to relieve himself of an act of interference in a matter in which he, the consul, had no concern, that chiefly induced the commander to address him. As, however, he had failed to assign any reason for that act of interference with a vessel belonging to the United States, it had become a duty to apprise him that the government of the United States would not permit an officer of any other government to interfere, officially or otherwise, with any vessel entitled to wear their flag; and that he had to suggest to the consul, that hereafter, should he have any cause to suspect any such vessel sailing in violation of a municipal law of the United States, he would content himself by giving information of the fact to some officer or agent of the United States: that such officer or agent would at all times be found near his residence.
The commander further stated that he might then, with propriety, dismiss the subject, but that justice to the owners of the Louisa Beaton required him further to state, that the consul’s information, come from what source it might, of the Louisa Beaton’s being engaged in the slave-trade, was not entitled to any credit. And in reference to “the character and former proceedings of that vessel,” the commander would inform him, that the British officer commanding the southern division of Her Majesty’s squadron had disavowed to him, in September, eighteen hundred and fifty, the act of boarding and detaining the said brigantine Louisa Beaton by another British cruiser; and also had proposed a pecuniary remuneration for the satisfaction of the master of the said vessel; in reference to which the commander declined any agency, deeming it rather to be his duty to report the matter, which was accordingly done, to the government of the United States. And further, that in the month of June, eighteen hundred and fifty-one, he had himself examined the Louisa Beaton, at the island of St. Helena, and that at the date of his communication to the governor-general affecting her character, she was a legal trader.
On the day following, as the Perry was about leaving Porto Grande, a letter was received from the British consul, in which he remarked, that he must be permitted to say, that he could not acknowledge the right of the American commander to question his conduct in the slightest degree; that when he gave a reply to the commander’s first letter, it was a mere act of courtesy upon his part; and that the language and bearing evinced in the last letter which he had received, compelled him to inform the commander that he declined any further correspondence, but to remark, that he should continue the course he had hitherto pursued, in denouncing all slave-vessels that came in his way, and should not fail to lay a copy of the correspondence before Her Majesty’s government.
The Perry anchored in Porto Praya on the following day; and a letter was immediately addressed to the commodore, which furnished information of the occurrences at Porto Grande. The commander added, that in his interview, in company with the American consul, with the collector of the port, the collector had read to him a letter from the governor-general of the islands, from which it was evident that the Louisa Beaton had been denounced by the British consul. A copy of the governor-general’s letter having been requested, it was refused; but when it was intimated that he ought to have informed our consul of the action of the British consul in the case, and that the relations between the United States and Portugal were of a character which should lead him to communicate, promptly, any action or information given by a foreign officer, bearing upon American vessels or American interests; the collector replied to this that he would, if officially requested, communicate the required information. This was accordingly done.
It was further stated, that, pending the correspondence, the British mail steam-packet arrived, with the Hon. David Tod, late American minister at the court of Brazil, on board, to whom the matter of the British consul’s interference was referred for counsel; and that the minister approved the course pursued, remarking that it was a case of unwarrantable interference on the part of a foreign officer, which, on our part, demanded prompt notice.
While lying in Porto Praya, a suspicious-looking brigantine, under Brazilian colors, appeared off the harbor. The hull, rigging, maneuvering, and the number of men on board, indicated her to be a slaver. In a letter to the commodore, the agency of the Perry in the capture of this vessel was explained in the following terms.
“On the 13th instant, a brigantine arrived in this port, under Brazilian colors. A boat was dispatched from the Perry to ascertain (without boarding, as the custom-house boat had not visited her) where she was from, where bound, and what news she had to communicate. She reported Brazilian nationality, last from Trinidad de Cuba, with sand-ballast. As soon as the vessel had anchored the custom-house boat pulled alongside to pay the usual visit, but, without boarding her, proceeded to the Perry, when the officer stated that the said brigantine had the small-pox on board, and had been placed in quarantine. A request was then made from the authorities on shore, not to permit her to leave the port previous to the settlement of her bills for the provisions which were to be furnished. The commander deeming it rather a duty to ascertain the real character of the vessel, than to act as a police for the authorities, communicated his doubts of her having the small-pox on board, intimating that the report was probably a ruse for the purpose of avoiding an examination, as he strongly suspected her of being a slaver, and requested that the Perry might board the vessel. This was declined, as she was in quarantine. It was then suggested to the officer to pull under the bows of the vessel, take her papers, and submit them to a critical examination, which might give a clue to her real character. This was done; and the papers were found too informal to entitle her to the protection of any state or nation. She was then boarded by the governor and collector, who, finding no small-pox on board, requested the commander of the Perry to furnish an officer, with a gang of men, to assist in making a thorough search of the vessel. This request was complied with, in the full understanding that she was under Portuguese jurisdiction, and that the search was to be made under the direction of the collector, as a matter of accommodation, in the light of rendering assistance to a foreign service.
“After completing the search, which confirmed the suspicions of the vessel’s character, the first-lieutenant of the Perry, at the request of the collector, was directed to take the slaver to the inner harbor, and to unbend her sails.”
The commodore not arriving at Porto Praya, the Perry ran up to Porto Grande, and, on the twenty-second day of October, a copy of the correspondence with the British consul, in reference to the Louisa Beaton, was forwarded to the Navy Department, at Washington.
After her return to Porto Praya, to wait the arrival of the squadron, on the eleventh of November, the John Adams made her appearance, and was followed, on the succeeding day, by the flag-ship. The commodore had received triplicate orders to send the Perry to the United States. The proceedings of the vessel, during her absence from the squadron, were approved by the commodore; and on the fifteenth day of December she stood out of the harbor, homeward bound, exchanging three cheers successively with the Porpoise, the John Adams, and the Germantown.
On arriving at New York, and reporting the vessel, a letter, dated December 26th, was received from the Secretary of the Navy, of which the following is the concluding paragraph: “The Department tenders its congratulations upon your safe return to your country and friends, after an active cruise on the coast of Africa; during which, your course has met the approbation of the Department.”