William Trenholm seeks reimbursement for expenses incurred "to equip a vessel to bring at least 300 Slaves" from Africa. He relates that he and a certain Richard Cunningham in 1810 "agreed to purchase a Sufficient Ship, or other vessel, and to load her with a cargo of Goods, wares & merchandize suitable to the African trade, and to send, and ship her to Havannah, there to have the said vessel put and placed under Spanish Colours according to Law and thence cleared and carried to the coast of Africa where she was to exchange and sell her cargo, and return to Havannah with african Slaves." He reports that he bought a suitable brig and goods in New York, insured the vessel and cargo, and shipped the same to Havana, at a cost of $34,943. He cites that the ship left Havana, "where her colours were regularly changed," but he laments that "she was taken on her voyage ... by the English and carried to Bermuda." The petitioner avers that "the venture, lawful in itself," while "unfortunate in its termination" should "not be turned to his loss altogether." Contending that he has not been justly reimbursed for his bills, Trenholm prays that "your Honors may take your Orators case into consideration, and Decree him to be fully paid & reimbursed in the sum due him."
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Repository: South Carolina Department of Archives and History, Columbia, South Carolina
