What else did you observe?—She had a sliding caboose to hold a very large copper; that is another of the prohibited articles. She had also gratings covered over with temporary planks; and a few other trifling things, quite sufficient, according to our treaties with foreign powers, to authorise me to seize her as a vessel fully equipped for the slave trade, had she been under the Spanish flag. I seized her, believing her to be a Spanish vessel, though under the Russian flag.
The crew were principally Spaniards?—Yes; and it did not appear that she had been in a Russian port for two years.
What did you do with the vessel?—I sent her to Sierra Leone, and tried to prosecute her in the Mixed Commission Court as a Spanish vessel; but she was not received into that Court, being under the Russian flag, and with Russian papers. I afterwards determined to send her to England, that the Court of Admiralty might dispose of her, as I felt satisfied she could not be a Russian vessel.
Mr. Justice Maule. You sent her to England to be condemned?—Yes, and before that I obtained from Bernardos—
Mr. Kelly. You are not asked what you obtained from Bernardos.
Mr. Serjeant Talfourd. Did Bernardos go in her?—Yes. I tried her a second time in the Mixed Commission Court.
We cannot enter into that. Did you afterwards see the same vessel again under another name?—Yes.
When was that?—In February 1841.
Where was she at the time?—Close to the Gallinas; at anchor at Gallinas: she anchored as I went on board.
Mr. Justice Maule. Under what name?—The Augusta; and under the English flag.