The Potter Journal

English Cruisers and Prize Money—The Slaver Cortez.

The Key West correspondent of the Charleston Courier says that the activity of the officers of the British cruisers, in boarding so many vessels in the Gulf, has its origin in the capture of the Cortez, which proved to be a rich prize. He gives the following as coming from Lieut. Pym, of the Jasper:

'A few weeks ago,' said Lieut. Pym, 'when cruising off the Moro, I boarded an American vessel that had just left port, and, in answer to inquiries for news, was told that a splendid clipper ship was fitting out for the slave trade, and would be ready to sail the following day. I accordingly watched for her, and had the satisfaction the following day of taking a valuable prize. [This was the Cortez.] She had the most complete outfit, a large stock of provisions, ample accommodations for 1,500 slaves, and besides a bag containing 2,300 doubloons, with which her cargo was to be purchased. Proof being sufficient, she was taken to Jamaica, libelled, and condemned. She was a lawful prize, and sold, with all on board, for $100,000. The steamer Sty x, being in sight, was entitled to one-half the prize money, or my share would have been $10,000. As it was, I received $5,000 for a couple of hours' work.'

The captain of the Cortez, after being overhauled, threw his flag and papers into the sea, and declared himself to be a Spaniard.

Of course, he would have escaped with impunity, under the new doctrine that the American flag is to protect anybody who chooses to carry it, whether entitled to do so or not.—Washington Republic.

Will the National Era explain how it comes, that an anti-Slavery paper should be found advocating a course that would have permitted the above-mentioned piratical Slaver, to have gone on to Africa under protection of the American flag, and there load with slaves for the Cuba market? The position of the Republic and N. Y. Tribune is more likely to do good, unless we greatly mistake the facts of the case.