Seventeen Hundred African Slaves at Key West.
The New York Times, June 4, 1860
The United States steamer Crusader, Lieut. Commandant John N. Maffit, came into Havana on the 29th from Key West. The Crusader, on the afternoon of the 23d ult., off Cay Verde, in the mouth of the old Bahama channel, captured a bark having on board over five hundred negroes from the coast of Africa. The prize was placed in charge of Lieut. J.M. Duncan, (First Lieutenant of the C.,) and under convoy of the steamer proceeded to Key West, where the slaves were landed, to join those previously captured by the Wyandotte and Mohawk. There are now over seventeen hundred Africans at that place in charge of the United States Marshal, awaiting the action of our Government in the matter.
The captain and crew of the slaver bark were prisoners on board the Crusader. Although the name of the vessel was obliterated, it was stated in Havana that she was the Bogota, belonging to New York.
The courtesy and commisseration manifested by Capt. Maffit and the officers of the Crusader towards the captured Africans were the theme of particular commendation at Key West and Havana.
Capt. M. forwarded his dispatches and mail by the Cahawba, and proceeded the same day to his cruising ground. The machinery of the Crusader is in bad order.
The local news at Havana was unimportant.