Yarmouth Herald
Yarmouth Newspaper, NS,
1843
Friday, July 7, 1843 TROUBLE ON THE AFRICAN COAST - SEIZURE OF AN AMERICAN VESSEL - ROW WITH THE BRITISH COLLECTOR. The New York Tribune gives the following particulars of a recent outrage on the African coast: We alluded yesterday to a difficulty that had occured off the port of Sierra Leone, between a British officer and the captain of an American brigantine, which led to a serious outrage. The following are the details of the affair, as we derive them from copies of official documents which have been laid before the authorities at Washington: The vessel was the brigantine ROBERT, owned by Mesers, Gilman & Small of this city, and commanded by CAPT. ALBERT COOK. After trading at many other places along the coast, she arrived at Sierra Leone on the 30th of March last, under the sole charge of the master - the supercargo. Mr. E.R. Ware, remaining at Rio Nonez to trade. The day after her arrival, Capt. Cook called at the custom house to report, and told the clerk that the manifest, which he handed in, contained a list of all the articles on board, so far as he knew; and added that as he had been trading on the coast for three months past, other articles might be on board of which he was not aware. The next day he called upon the British Collector, Mr. McCormack, and made the same communication to him, saying that the difficulty of being accurately informed concerning his cargo was greatly increased by the facts that the first mate had died, and the supercargo was absent. The Collector in the presence of Mr. R. Lawrence, a merchant at Sierra Leorne, declared that the explanation was quite satisfactory, and promised that if any other articles were discovered, the report might be amended and no seizure should be made. On the 12th of April, Captain Cook gave notice that he was about to leave port. The Collector, in discharge of his duty, searched the vessel and found eight small packages of tea, containing 13 pounds each, which were not in the manifest. He refused to allow the report to be amended, seized the tea, claimed of the master the forfeiture, and refused to clear the vessel until the 15th of April. On the 17th, having received her clearance, the Robert stood out to sea. - She had cleared the harbour, and got into the broad sea - being Westward of the Cape in the Atlantic - when she was boarded by Collector McCormack, who found the captain absent, and the mate in charge, a pilot being at the helm. Mr. McCormack gave orders to put the vessel back, which was done. Captain Cook seeing the vessel returning, immediately went on board, handed a note to Mr. McCormack, which he said would satify him, ordered the man at the helm to put about and stand out to sea. Mr. McCormack went aft seized the captain by the shoulders and thrust him from the wheel. The captain turned and pushed him off; the cabin door being open and near, Mr. McCormack fell headlong down the stairs; but instantly returned, seized the captain who had been able to procure no weapon but a spy-glass, and called out for his boat's crew of Negroes, who immediately came on board, as did also the Pilot's Negro crew, and the fight became general between the captain's crew and the two bands of Negroes. The latter proved the victors. Captain Cook was thrown upon the deck; his clothes torn off, his body trampled upon, and he dragged by a rope across the deck, and lashed to a gun. His crew were treated in a similar manner, and watched by McCormack's men, who armed themselves with knives and axes found on board. While the men were binding the captain, Mr. McCormack said to them, "Don't be afraid of him," "Don't be fooling with him," &c. Captain Cook was left on deck, exposed half-naked to a broiling sun, denied his hat or any shelter, and treated in the most brutal manner. His watch was seized and thrown into the rigging, and the vessel was taken up the river several miles to Freetown. Captain Cook was there thrust into a dungeon, where no white man could live many days, and only removed to a more endurable quarter after urgent soliciation, and the offer of heavy bail by a friend. The vessel was then searched again - but nothing found on board included in the manifest, except the ammunition in her magazine, provided for her defense, for making signals, &c. and which formed no part of her cargo. The Collector seized the ship's register, her clearance, accounts of sale of her cargo, and other private papers, and removed the chronometer, some bags of money, and other articules - some of which have never been restored. On the 21st of April they were formally demanded and surrendered; with the exception of the clearance, which the Collector said he should retain till the captain's alleged forteitures (in amount L200) were paid. He was told by the captain's legal adviser that the vessel could not be retained on those grounds, and on the 22d gave up the clearance. The captain and mate were brought up before the police, and, on the testimony of McCormack and his men, were fined L5 each, and discharged. The testimony given by McCormack differed from that introduced in defense. (which we have followed,) in this point only - McCormack declared that Capt. Cook commited the first assault and struck him with his fist; the defense declares that Capt. Cook was seized first and that his alleged blow was only a push to clear hin\mself from McCormack. Capt. Cook immediately wrote to Lieut. Arthur Lewis, commanding the U.S. brig Porpoise, concerning the affair, enclosing copies of the testimony given before the police, and all other papers necessary. Lieut. Lewis forwarded them to the Secretary of the Navy by whom they were handed over to the State Department. It is alleged by McCormack that he only acted in performence of his duty. Captain Cook contends in reply, 1. that the vessel was out of the Collector's jurisdiction, being on the high seas; 2. that the tea, (without reference to the Collector's promise,) though perhaps legally seizable, would not be forfeited in equity, as the vessel was going out of port, and no design of importing it could be supposed; 3. that the gunpowder was part of the ship's stores, necessary to the voyage, and no more to be reported than the biscuit or other provivions; 4. that, at any rate, the vessel was entitled to her clearance after 24 hours notice; 5. that the seizure of the vessel at sea was an outrage utterly unwarranted by law - as the only case in which the act of Parliament warrents this procrdure is when vessels hovering within a league of the shore shall refuse to depart after 24 hours notice; 6. that the seizure of the ship's papers was unlawful; and 7. that the detention of the vessel after the search was entirely unwarrented. These are the particulars of the whole affair as we have gathered them from a careful perusal of all the papers. It presents a case of considerable importance to all traders on the coast and deserves attention. Even on his own testimony the conduct of the British Collector seems to have been harsh and brutal in the highest degree. Whether it was strictly legal or not remains to be seen. MARRIAGES: On the 2d inst., by Rev. A.V. Dimock, Mr. Nelson Corning, junr., to Miss Eliza Ann, eddest daughter of Mr. Benjamin Brown. At Halifax, on the 15th inst., by Rev. Richard Knight, the Rev. Charles Dewolfe, Wesleyan Minister, to Matilda Caroline, daughter of Martin G. Black, Esq. DEATHS: At Falmouth, N.S., 23d ult., after a protracted and severly painful illness, which he bore with the fortitude and resignation of the Christian, MR. Charles Young, in the 64th year of his age. NOTES: An account of Capt. Albert Cook's incident on the Africian Coast.
Friday, July 14, 1843 MARRIAGES: At Shelburne, on the 4th inst., by the Rev. T.H. White, Mr. Michael Rayton, of Barrington, to Maria, daughter of the late Capt. James Cunningham, of Shelburne.
Friday, July 21, 1843 DEATHS: On the evening of the 18th inst., Robert Huston, Esq., in the 89th year of his age - an old and respectable inhabitant.
Friday, July 28, 1843 MARRIAGES: On Sunday evening at 6 o'clock, at the Baptist Church, by the Rev. W. Burton, Capt. William Gourley to Miss Emily H., only daughter of Mr. William Harris. On Sunday last, by Rev. H. Harding, Mr. Richard Patten, jr., to Miss Lois, eldest daughter of Mr. Abraham Killam. DEATHS: At Barrington, on the 20th inst., Mrs. Deborah, wife of Obadiah Wilson, Esq., aged 80 years. At Robinstown, Maine, on the 7th inst., Mrs. Rebecca Cook, sonsort of Capt. Amos Cook, of Yarmouth, N.S., and the youngest daughter of the late N. Marks, Esq., of St. Stephens.
Friday, August 4, 1843 MARRIAGES: On the 27th ult., by Rev. H. Harding, Mr. Peter Parker, to Miss Maria, eldest daughter of Mr. T. Deane Chipman. DEATHS: At Chebogue, on the 17th ult., Margaret Hannah, youngest daughter of Mr. John Richards, aged 15 months.
Friday, August 11, 1843 (none)
Friday, August 18, 1843 MELANCHOLY ACCIDENT - On Tuesday morning last, Mr. David Page, Teacher of the Grammar School at Hebron, went to take a sail in his pleasure boat, in the 2d Pond. The boat was upset by a squall of wind, capsized, and sunk, and Mr. P., being unable to swim, was drowned. There was no other boat in the Pond, and rafts had to be constructed to reach the spot; his body was grappled up, after being over half an hour under the water, and the usual means for restoring suspended animation in such cases employed, but in vain. His remains were interred yesterday, and a funeral sermon preached to a large audience at the First Baptist Church, by Rev. Harris Harding. Mr. P. was nearly 19 years of age - was a son of Mr. David Page, Truro - was a worthy and exemplary young gentleman, much and deservedly esteemed by all who knew him.
Friday, August 25, 1843 (none)
Friday, September 1, 1843 (none)
Friday, September 8, 1843 DEATHS: At Bear River, on Wednesday the 23d ult., Helen Baxter, aged 88 years, an old and respectable inhabitant of that place. At Trinidad, about the 1st August, John W. Miller, Esquire, universally and deservedly regretted. His valuable services as a Commission Merchant and General Agent, will be long remembered by ship-masters and owners belonging to this as well as other Ports.
Friday, September 15, 1843 DEATHS: On Saturday last, Mr. Hugh M'Iver, late Teacher of the Grammar School of Tusket, aged about 34 years. At Halifax, on Saturday evening last, the Rev. Doctor McCullock, Principal of Dalhousie College, long known as one of the leading minds that have given to Nova Scotia some claim to literary distinston. He was a man of vast mental attainment, and a profound investigator into the Mysteries of Nature. He died at the ripe age of 67. His remains were conveyed to Pictou, where they would be interred yesterday. At Liverpool, on the 3d inst., Robert Barry, Esq., in the 84th year of his age. He was one of the first settlers and most eminent merchant of Shelburne.
Friday, September 22, 1843 DEATHS: On Thursday evening last, after a lingering illness, which she bore with resignation to the Divine will, Mrs. Margery, wife of Benjamin Barnard, Esq., in the 73rd year of her age; an old and respectable inhabitant of this place - leaving a large circle of relativies and friends to lament their loss. The funeral will take place on Sunday afternoon, at 3 o'clock.
Friday, September 29, 1843 MARRIAGES: On the 14th inst., by the Rev. A.V. Dimock, Mr. Charles Corning, to Miss Catharine, second daughter of Mr. Alexander Oldham McCra. On the 20th, by the Rev. W. Burton, Mr. Reuber McKinnon to Miss Sophia Tinkham. On the 24th, by the same, Mr. David McNeil, to Miss Sarah McIver. DEATHS: On the 27th inst., after a long and painful illness from cancer, Capt. Robert Dickson, in the 61st year of his age. He was a native of Fifeshire in Scotland, and for the last twenty-four years, a resident of this Town, where he was deservedly and universally respected. ACCIDENT - Mr. William Porter was killed at Beaver River on Tuesday last, by the falling of part of a frame, which he was assisting in raising, across his body.
Friday, October 6, 1843 MARRIAGES: On Tuesday evening last, by the Rev. C. Churchill, Mr. Henry Perry, to Miss Mary Francess Humbert.
Friday, October 13, 1843 MARRIAGES: Last evening, at Tusket Falls, by the Rev. R. Avery, Rector, Mr. John Henry Brayn, of Little River, to Miss Margery Tooker Hatfield, daughter of the late Mr. Jacob Hatfield.
Friday, October 20, 1843 MARRIAGES: On the 12th inst., by the Rev. H. Harding, Mr. John P. Falt to Miss Maria A. Porter. On the 19th inst., by the Rev. A.V. Dimock, Mr. Charles Crosby, to Miss Lydia McGray. At St. John, N.B., on Tuesday the 10th inst., by the Rev. J.T. Eishart, Mr. John Edgar, of Yarmouth, to Miss Margaret, only daughter of the late J. Dord, Esq. At St. John, N.B., on the 21st instant, by the Rev. I.W. Gray, Rector of that Parish, Henry Stewart, Esq., of Digby, Nova Scotia, to Miss Charlotte McLeod Wallace, of that City.
Friday, October 27, 1843 (none)
Friday, November 3, 1843 (none)
Friday, November 11, 1843 MARRIAGES: On Sunday last, by the Rev. H. Harding, Mr. Eleazar Perry, to Miss Eliza, eldest daughter of Mr. Robert Horton. At Beaver River, on the 9th inst., by the Rev. Thomas Brady, Mr. Samuel Williams, of that place, to Miss Edith, youngest daughter of Mr. Asahel Corning of Brier Island. DEATHS: On Monday last, aged 63 years, Benjamin Bingay, Esq., for many years a Justice of the Peace for this County, and a gentleman much and deservedly esteemed.
Friday, November 18, 1843 (none)
Friday, November 25, 1843 (none)
Wednesday, November 29, 1843 MARRIAGES: At Westport, on Tuesday the 5th Novr., by the Rev. John C. Morse, Mr. Joseph Haines, to Miss Catharine, eldest daughter of Mr. Bathyan Israel. On the 9th by the same, Mr. Samuel Tidd, to Sarah, eldest daughter of Capt. Jacob Moore. At the same time and place, Mr. Almond Moore, to Susan, eldest daughter of Mr. Israel Smith. On the 14th, by the Rev. C. Randall, Mr. John C. Plumb, to Miss Elizabeth Tidd; and Mr. Stilston Parry to Miss Susan Tidd, daughter of Samuel Tidd, Esq. On Sunday morning, 26th, by Rev. W. Jackson, Mr. Lorin E. Parry, to Mary, only daughter of Mr. Edward Spring. On the 28th, by the same, Mr. John Smith to Miss Louana, eldest daughter of Mr. Morgan Powell. DEATHS: Yesterday, deeply lamented, and after a brief illness which she bore with unfaltering resignation to the Divine Will, Charlotte, the beloved wife of the Hon. Stayley Brown.
Saturday, December 9, 1843 (none)
Saturday, December 16, 1843 MARRIAGES: Decr. 5th, at Wolfville, by the Rev. John Pryor, A.M., the Rev. E.A. Crawly, A.M., to Elizabeth, daughter of Dr. Lewis Johnston, of Annandale, Horton. DEATHS: At Saint Thomas, West Indies, on the 15th November, Mr. Thomas S. Eakins, a resident of this place, in the 28th year of his age. At Carlton Village near Shelburne, on Saturday 15th November, Mrs. Isabella McDonald, aged 80 years, and on the morning after, Mr. Donald McDonald, aged 78 years. Both were natives of Sutherlandshire, Scotland, where they were married about 55 years ago. They emigrated to this Colony in the year 1807, and settled in the County of Shelburne. Through life they gave their family an example of virtue and industry, and they were sincerely generated by a large number of friends and neighbours. Suddenly, at Annapolis, on the 29th ult., Edward Ruggles, Esq., Attorney at Law, aged 25 years, leaving a large circle of relatives and friends to mourn his loss. At St. John, N.B., on the 5th inst., in the 80th year of his age, David Hatfield, Esq., leaving an aged widow, seven children, and a wide circle of relatives and friends to mourn their bereavement. At St. Andrews, on the 3d inst., in the 42d year of his age, after a long and painful illness, Mr. James Hutchinson, watchmaker, of that town.
Friday, December 22, 1843 DEATHS: On the 24th Nov., in the 86th year of his age, Deacon Ezra Churchill, in the faith of the Gospel and lively hopes of a glorious immortality - justly lamented as a worthy christian, an affectionate husband and father, and an honourable member of society "Let die the death of the righteous, and my last end be like his." At Weymouth, N.S., on the 7th inst., after a long and distressing illness, which she bore with christian fortitude, and pious resignation to the Divine Will, Maria Cutler, second daughter of Guy C. Jones, in the 24th year of her age, leaving a large number of relatives to mourn her loss. "Her end was Peace".
issue missing (date ???)
Friday, December 29, 1843 MARRIAGES: On Thursday the 31st inst., by the Rev. A.V. Dimock, Mr. Elisha Eldridge, to Miss Hannah, eldest daughter of Mr. Nathan Rose.