Report of Captain Nicholas, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Constellation, of the capture by that vessel of the American brig Triton (slaver).
U. S. S. Constellation,
Congo River, West Coast of Africa, May 22, 1861.
Sir: I have the honor to report to you that I yesterday captured at Punta da Lenha the American brig Triton. She had no slaves on board, but every preparation for their reception had been made.
I dispatched her to-day for Norfolk, under charge of Midshipman George A. Borchert, with the necessary written instructions for his guidance on his arrival. The men who accompany Mr. Borchert have been on this coast nearly two years, and on their arrival at Norfolk will have been at sea actively employed over two years. I therefore respectfully request that they may be paid off and discharged and that Mr. Borchert may be allowed the usual leave of absence.
I avail myself of this occasion to report to you the prompt and efficient cooperation which I received from Captain Bedingfield, of H. M. S. Prometheus. Having no means myself of communicating with Punta da Lenha I intimated the fact to Captain Bedingfield, who instantly placed his steamer at my disposal, with the offer to tow a boat with as many officers and men as I chose to send. I sent out the fourth cutter, under command of Lieutenant P. C. Johnson, and they commenced steaming up the river at 3 o’clock , and by 10 o’clock had taken possession of the Triton.
The only other American vessel there was the Falmouth. She doubtless is going to take in slave cargo, but her preparations were not sufficiently advanced to make it advisable to seize her. Had I been one month earlier I could have made a great capture, as there were at that time nine slavers at Punta da Lenha, all of which have escaped except the ship Nightingale, which was captured by the Saratoga.
It is perhaps proper for me to state that Flag-Officer Inman is temporarily absent from this ship, he having removed his flag to the Portsmouth. This will account for my making this report.
The crew of this ship are in tolerably good health, but the effect of the climate is beginning to tell upon them.
I have the honor to be, with great respect, your obedient servant,
J. S. Nicholas,
Captain, Commanding U. S. S. Constellation.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.