Collegian-Independent Online

The campaign by Confederate Texas against the Sovereign State of New Orleans continues to grow.  Not only is Texas launching more ships of its own navy but letters of marque continue to be written.  Abolitionists, with outside financial support, have offered to support the effort under specific conditions.  Heated negotiations have led to an initial offer of 100 male slaves who will be donated to privateer or other allied captains as indentured servants for one year with the affidavit of the captain that they will serve in the naval campaign.  At the end of that time, these men will be considered free and be issued papers clearly indicating their new status.  It is believed that a portion of this cost is being born by abolitionist groups and the rest donated by slave owners.

Raiding on New Orleans shipping has increased although reports indicate that the recovered cargoes have become less valuable.  “They seem to be down to door knobs, furniture and fixtures these days” said privateer Albert Jeffers.  “Plus, some of these new privateers aren’t even trying to take cargoes.  Why they gave a letter to this Witch Finder’s ship, the Zarya, I will never know.  He doesn’t seem to care about cargoes at all.”  Research indicates that the Zarya’s captain, Witch Finder General Sykes was one of the first to take advantage of the indenture offer.