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Portland Gazette, And Maine Advertiser
Portland, Cumberland County, Maine
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Report from Port-au-Prince (via Fortitude, left Feb 23): President Pétion seriously ill; fleet returned after cruise. Seaman from brig Merchant executed for killing a negro intruder. Pétion seized and condemned Spanish vessels captured by English cruisers, plus a privateer under Capt. Stafford. Other privateers avoided seizure.
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A seaman belonging to brig Merchant, of Kennebunk (said to be an Englishman) having [caused the death of a man] dying at Port-au-Prince, was tried by Martial law, condemned and shot.
Two negroes, as we are informed, had come on board the Merchant (supposed for the purpose of stealing) when some of the crew undertook to run away. One of the blacks (it is said) was struck on the head with a stave and thrown overboard. He was immediately taken up and it was ascertained his neck was broken--A companion took him on shore, but shortly returned on board again and a guard went in pursuit of the seaman, (who had made off in the vessel's boat, and concealed himself on shore)
He was found in a short time, and not having his [defense? Ps subject?] was he cause of his death, he was immediately executed.
Two ships, two or three brigs, sloop and schooner (all Spaniards, sent into Port-au-Prince by English cruisers, were seized by Pétion and condemned, with their cargoes. These were chiefly from the Spanish Main, with cochineal, &c. One of the ships was from Havana, [another?] from Cadiz, cargo white sugar. Five [vessels?] were seized by a privateer commanded Capt. Stafford (formerly the Maria, Baltimore.)
The privateer afterwards came in herself with only one on board, and was seized and condemned, and her crew turned adrift. Capt. Stafford was said to have got on board one of his prizes, (a ship) as she was entering the harbor, and ordered her off
One of the vessels was likewise taken by the privateer "24th of May," Capt. Barnes. This privateer herself was going in, but being warned of her danger, proceeded to some other place
The exact cause for the detention and confiscation of the above vessels was not known
Com. Taylor, of the Patriots, (Revolutionary privateer brig.) afterwards came into P.-au-Prince, was lately seized, and allowed to depart again. The true reason, however, probably was, that Pétion was in want of money at the time, and bought the opportunity a good one for his Treasury.
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Foreign News Details
Primary Location
Port Au Prince
Event Date
Feb 23
Key Persons
Outcome
seaman from brig merchant executed for causing death of a negro; several spanish vessels and privateer seized and condemned by pétion, cargoes confiscated; privateer crews turned adrift; com. taylor's vessel briefly seized but released.
Event Details
Pétion seriously indisposed; his fleet returned after 2-3 week cruise around island. Incident on brig Merchant: two negroes boarded (possibly to steal), one killed by seaman who struck him and threw overboard (neck broken); seaman fled but was captured and executed under martial law. Pétion seized Spanish vessels sent in by English cruisers (from Spanish Main, Havana, Cadiz; cargoes cochineal, white sugar) and condemned them. Privateer under Capt. Stafford (ex-Maria of Baltimore) seized after capturing five vessels; Stafford escaped on a prize. Privateer '24th of May' under Capt. Barnes captured one vessel but avoided seizure. Com. Taylor's Patriots briefly seized but departed. Likely motive: Pétion needed money for treasury.