752 Sheet – American State Trials 1918 Volume X Leo Frank Document

Search for:

Reading Time: 4 minutes [574 words]

Here is the translated text as follows:

They were never permitted to speak to anyone except in the presence of a sentinel. On board the Panda was a sailor who could speak English; his name was Perico. He was a fat white man, but I do not know his country. He died on board the schooner. Perico was a Spaniard but had sailed on board an American brig. The powder of the Panda was stowed in her hold at Havana. I had not been concerned in the war between Spain and her colonies. I have been on board both Danish and French merchantmen. I do not know who was the commander of the Spanish forces during the Colombian war. I never knew General Morillo and never served on board any man-of-war.

Peres, upon seeing some papers between Messrs. Hilliard and Child, the counsel for the prisoners, expressed a fear that something was going wrong. However, upon being informed by the interpreter that the two gentlemen were connected in the case, he became satisfied. He was directed to be removed for a few minutes, and upon his return, the cross-examination proceeded. However, he soon lost all patience and, with much gesticulation and energy, protested that he would not answer any more questions, being certain that they were dictated by the prisoners. He was at last, however, induced to continue his statements.

I was on board a Spanish schooner as a cabin boy during the war between Spain and Colombia. During the time of Morillo, I was taken prisoner in a brig called the Eagle and carried into Havana. The brig was taken because she had slaves on board. Nicholas Costa was a cabin boy on board the Eagle and afterward on board the Panda. The black boy, Antonio Ferrer, belonged to Maracaibo. I never told him to say he was a slave. I don't know whether he is a slave or not. I knew him to be an African by the marks on his face. I have heard others say that he was a slave. His name is put in the roll as born in Havana.

I was not aware when I shipped that the Panda was going on a piratical cruise. All vessels leaving Havana for the coast of Africa are examined by the General of Marines. The Panda and her crew were not examined; I don't know the reason why she was not. Delgado came from Spain in company with me. If I had known the Captain of the Panda, I would sooner have stayed on shore and eaten dirt than have gone with him. I did not know the Panda had any guns on board when I shipped. When she was in the river Nazareth, the carpenter carried all her papers on shore and gave them to the captain. I never knew what became of them afterward.

When the Panda left Havana, she bore a Spanish flag. Her papers were all good. I can't tell whether the Panda was or was not boarded by officers when off Havana. An English ship was robbed by the crew of the Panda prior to the robbery of the Mexican. Most implicit obedience was paid to Capt. Gibert by the crew of the Panda. I don't think the crew feared him, but they obeyed all his orders. The English corvette was robbed about eight days after we left Havana; we chased her for some time before we came up with her.