Pike, John W. (fl. 1857) Information regarding slavers, received from the master of the "Jupiter" captured by Her M S "Antelope"

Clerical copy of a deposition taken by Lt. John W. Pike, captain of the HMS "Antelope," from the master of the "Jupiter," an illegal slaver captured by the "Antelope" in June of 1857. The statement describes the operation of an illegal slave ship, including financing, use of false papers and colors, circuitous route taken, initial contact with slave traders in Africa by the raising of certain colors, refitting of the ship from a merchant hold to a slave ship, picking up of the slaves some time later, and other tactics. It then details the voyage of the "Jupiter" prior to her capture. The last page contains a list of slave ships captured by the British Navy during the preceding three months, including the "Onward" and "Charles," both of Boston, the "William Clarke" of New Orleans, and the "Abbot Devereux."

In August of 1857, British rear admiral Sir Frederick Grey sent a copy of this statement to the British Admiralty, as evidence of slavers' continued use of the American flag to flout the slave trading prohibition. Pike's statement became part of the American public record in 1858, when the U.S. Senate investigated the May 1857 search and seizure by a British warship of the American barque "Panchita" off the coast of Africa. Though the "Panchita" was undeniably a slaver,the British captain's decision to seize a ship flying the American colors set off a diplomatic incident. (See Senate Documents, 1858, Ex. Doc. No. 61 for details, including a publication of Pike's statement.) Pike's statement appeared in Congressional records again in 1860, this time as part of the Secretary of State's report to President Buchanan on the African slave trade. That report also included copies of official correspondence from McBlair. (See House Documents, 1860, Ex. Doc. No. 7.)

Partial Transcript:
"…When an expedition to Africa is arranged in Havanna, one of the principal slave holders, or an accredited agent, provided with funds, goes to New Orleans and places himself in communication with Messrs. Goldenboro & Lespark…They choose a Master, and, for this, a naturalized citizen is always preferred to a native born American. The Master selects a vessel, and, being provided with money, by the agent or owner, buys her and registers her in his own name, as Master and sole owner. The vessel is then fitted out with the assistance of the firm above named. About 25 or 30 water casks will be filled; the remainder will contain the rice, farina and beans. A number of small breakers are also purchased, which, by cutting off both ends, make the slavers mess tubs. The Shipping Master is fee'd to provide a crew of Spanish or Portuguese, whom he provides with American protections, though none of them answer to the appearance of the men themselves, being all purchased from men really Americans. These protections are shown with the vessels papers at the Custom House, and she is cleared as American…."