I have already, in the course of this personal narrative, referred to the “Minnetonka” barque, under American colours, as having called off the Port of Natal, in the month of June, 1857, and of the exertions made by H.M.S. “Hermes,” which conveyed myself and family to Mozambique, to capture that vessel.
In the month of March, 1857, the British barque “Ocean Queen” ran on shore, and became a total wreck on the Bazarutto Islands, in the Mozambique Channel. Some portion of the crew reached the small Portuguese village on one of those islands, and for five months were hospitably entertained by the Governor of the island, who, on being informed by the shipwrecked sailors that they had nothing with which to reward him, nobly replied, “God will reward me.” This conduct of the Governor of the Bazarutto Islands having come to my knowledge, and not having been called upon to re-imburse him for the support of five of my countrymen for the period of five months, it became my pleasing duty to bring this generous conduct under the notice of the British government, and to urge upon it the propriety of making some suitable acknowledgment; and I have much pleasure in stating that my application in favour of the Portuguese Governor has been generously responded to by Her Majesty’s government.
The Portuguese schooner-of-war, “Zambesi,” arrived at the Bazarutto Islands early in June; and the shipwrecked party of mariners belonging to the late barque “Ocean Queen,” so long and hospitably entertained by the Portuguese Governor, were ordered a passage on board the schooner, for the purpose of being conveyed to Mozambique, and placed under the protection of Her Majesty’s Consul there. The “Zambesi” had on board, as a passenger, Major Olliveira, who was sent to supersede the then Governor of Inhambane, a naval officer, the Capitain de Corvette Leotti, in consequence of the latter refusing to give to the Governor-general of Mozambique the six dollars per head which he claimed as his share of head-money for every slave leaving Inhambane, either on board of a French Free Labour Emigration Ship, or any other Slaver.
The “Zambesi” proceeded to Inhambane, Major Olliveira relieved Capitain de Corvette Leotti, and, in about three weeks’ time, the “Zambesi” prepared to return to the Bazarutto Islands and Mozambique.
The evening before she crossed the bar of the Inhambane river, a barque was observed to stand in from sea, and anchor off Barrow Hill; this was the American barque “Minnetonka,” under American colours, commanded by Captain Ward, and belonging to the Brothers Cabargas at the Havannah; the same vessel which called off Port Natal on the 22nd of June, just a week previous, to inquire if she could obtain a cargo of slaves at that British colony. There she was unsuccessful, and was obliged to fly from the dreaded British cruiser; but here, in a Portuguese colony, with a Portuguese man-of-war alongside of her, she had nothing to fear.
On the next morning the “Zambesi” got under weigh; and, as soon as she had crossed the bar of the river, she shaped a course for the Spanish slaver under American colours, not to capture, but to assist her. The American captain, knowing well the people he had to deal with, lowered a boat, and sent his boatswain in her to communicate with the captain of the Portuguese vessel-of-war, and ask his advice as to the best mode of obtaining a cargo of slaves.
On board the “Zambesi” was the Capitain de Corvette Leotti, late Governor of Inhambane, who had been superseded for defying the Governor-general of Mozambique, and refusing to give him his share of slave head-money. Leotti was a buccaneer in heart, although he wore the uniform of the King of Portugal. He had lost his governorship, and now obtained an opportunity of making a fortune. The “Minnetonka” had 70,000 dollars on board, all of which the American captain would give in exchange for slaves; and he would be back in a time agreed upon for the cargo. Matters were arranged at once; the boatswain was desired to accompany to the shore the pilot of the “Zambesi,” the King of Portugal’s pilot, it is true, but, nevertheless, a pilot ready to assist a slaver at all times. Leotti sent instructions to his agents on shore, and hoisted a flag, as a signal to the American captain, that his instructions would be complied with, and the slaves ready at the time he wished.